For Grizzlies fans, this season was one they want to forget. Rootsey is an amazing GM, the engine was against him, and the team’s expected win percentage was 56% while they finished with a 50% win percentage, so some things just didn’t go their way. The 41-41 year isn’t too bad, but it led them to enter the postseason as a 10 seed, which you have to win two away games just to play the #1 seed then, so odds were stacked against them.

Highlight: 

The Draft- Due to past trades, the Grizzlies had a good chance of a Number 1 pick, and with the Number 1 pick he traded down to 3 and 6 to get more prospects in. This was a great draft to do such a thing as there wasn’t any home run pick. The Grizzlies already have an amazing core and they’re only adding to it with the draft.

Lowlight: 

The Grizzlies not even making it to the playoffs, with Memphis having one of the largest luxury taxes this past year, it was expected they would be on top of the Western Conference or even league perhaps. What happened was the opposite, injuries took a toll, but I think what hurt them most was not having that dominate PG, like last engine gave benefit to. Rozier was the closest to that, but he only played 21 games on the year.

Best Trade:

The Grizzlies receive Marcus Sasser and send out 2 2nds. 

Sasser turned out to be one of the most productive rookies in the NBA and ended up getting him at a cheaper price as Ben needed to make roster spots, since he has about 20-30 picks each year. It ended up being a benefit for the Grizzlies and their scouting department liked what they saw in him.

Worst Trade: 

The Grizzlies receive Bismack Biyombo, Rui Hachimura, and 2 2nds for Kyle Kuzma.

Key to a lot of trades he did I feel is the money, Rui was cheaper, Bismack provided depth with the Mitchell Robinson injury, and 2 2nds is nice, but Kuz didn’t ever get to see the court in Memphis. He played really well in 2k last year, Rui underperformed a lot for Memphis and it was not really the return you’d want for someone of his quality.

Other Trades:

The Grizzlies receive Kenneth Lofton Jr and send out a 2nd.

Was a low risk trade, lost a 2nd and Lofton not in the NBA anymore. Was low risk anyways though so I doubt Rootsey is going to feel bad about a trade this small.

The Grizzlies receive Dante Exum and send out Marjon Beauchamp.

Dante really played well since coming back to the NBA, Marjon has fallen off since a good beginning and it seems Doc Rivers doesn’t like him at all. Turned out to be a good trade for the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies receive Terry Rozier, Kyle Kuzma, and Lonnie Walker and send out Bradley Beal, Marcus Sasser, and Julian Strawther.

It was a decent get considering Beal’s value has dropped due to poor NBA play, Rozier played phenomenal for them, Kuz was playing so well for the Kings, but they ended up trading him. Then Lonnie Walker was a good role player as well, Strawther has just now started to break out with KCP departing which nobody really knew would happen, and Sasser is a solid player to lose as well.

The Grizzlies receive Mason Plumlee and send out Bismack Biyombo and a 2nd. 

Slight upgrade for a 2nd. Solid deal, maybe means a little long term, but also then it’s not the hardest thing to get 2nds, just ask Ben.

Star: Terry Rozier- Even though he wasn’t there nearly as long as everyone else on the year, he was the best performer for them this year. Being insanely efficient while scoring a lot as well. Was probably a benefit of the engine more than anything as he’s a good player, but he was ranked 36 in last year’s NSL rankings.

Flop: Jaren Jackson Jr- He is an amazing player, but he didn’t step up enough only scoring 12.1 ppg and grabbing 7.8 rpg. He’s much more than a role player and needs to assert himself more and make a stamp on every aspect of the game, not just defense. Traditional PFs seemed to take more of a backseat last year and could be yet again a result of the engine.

Free Agency:

It looks like the Grizzlies have a full 15 man roster, but just have to bring back Pippen and Mamu which shouldn’t be too hard since both resigned in the NBA.

Draft Grades: A

The draft went so well for them getting one of the current leaders in ROTY in Edey where he’s also 7’5 and drafting one of the highest upside players in Stephon Castle. It’s got the potential to be a dominant class by them long term and with Edey even short term. Furphy was nice get as some thought he may get drafted in the 1st since he was talked about there in mocks. Bobi Klintman is a more raw prospect and he is currently in a tough roster to get PT on with the Pistons having Holland, Thompson, and Stewart coming off the bench already.

Future: 

The future looks bright, Jaylen Brown just won Finals MVP, Bam and JJJ are perennial DPOY candidates. Edey and Castle are top picks and both did well in college and have good NBA situations. The cap situation is a lot better now too, they are in a feasible spot and are only 1.5 million above the 2nd apron.