Memphis won a very quiet 48 games a season ago. That was good for eighth place in an extremely competitive Western Conference. They were swept in round one by the eventual champions, and for the third
consecutive season, they failed to win a playoff series. After another disappointing season, they traded Desmond Bane to Orlando to allow some of their young players to step up.
Memphis is now entering year seven with Ja Morant. They have yet to make it out of the second round with him. He has been on and off the court as much as anyone the last few years, so to say this is a “prove it” year for him and the franchise would be an understatement. There are a lot of storylines going into the NBA season, and Memphis has flown under the radar. The Grizzlies are looking to show the West that they are still here.
Memphis Grizzlies: Over/Under 39.5 Wins (-106/-114)
Last Season: 48-34
Additions: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cedric Coward
Losses: Desmond Bane, Jake Laravia, Marcus Smart
Ja Morant is still a very good player. He has averaged 26 points and seven assists in the 177 games he has played over the last four seasons. The issue, obviously, is that his game total is so low. He cannot stay on the court for many reasons. Couple that with Jaren Jackson’s turf toe, Zach Edey’s ankle surgery, and Brandon Clarke’s knee, and you have a very large injury concern with the Grizzlies’ core. Regardless, in the last three seasons in which Morant played 50-plus games, Memphis has won 48 games or more. The loss of Desmond Bane will be felt, but they have the likes of Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson, and Vince Williams to pick up some of the slack Bane left. This total is too low for a team with this much talent.
