We know the adage in sport: ” You don't change a winning team.“. An adage that the Celtics followed to the letter since they did not modify their workforce this summer after their 18th NBA title, and they conversely extended several major players. With the Grizzlies, it is rather ” You don't change a losing team“. While Memphis finished the season with 27 wins for 55 losses, management decided not to recruit anyone! Except of course the rookie Zach Edey.
So it's been a particularly quiet summer for the Grizzlies with Luke Kennard's only extension and Ziaire Williams' departure. In fact, there had more changes in the coaching staff than among players. The reason for this strategy is simple: in Memphis, it is believed that only serious injuries to major players have ruined the season. It must be said that Ja Morant has only played 9 games. That is barely more than Brandon Clarke (6), while Marcus Smart, last summer's main recruit, has only played 20.
Even Luke Kennard, who was extended, was also injured for a good part of the season (39 games played).
Memphis remains under the “luxury tax”
If there was a major Memphis move to point out, it would go back to before free agency when the management sent Steven Adams to the Rockets. But the Grizzlies replaced him, via the Draft, with Zach Edey, another old-school pivot. A position for position move that doesn't mask the Grizzlies' weakness at this position. Not only does Edey lack experience, but his backup is Jay Huff signed with ” two way contract” . Which means Jaren Jackson Jr. will likely have to step up to hold the bat again.
Grizzlies fans can rest assured, however, that changes could still happen during the season because Luke Kennard signed a contract with a lower amount than previously announced (9.25 million instead of 11 million). The Grizzlies are therefore under the “luxury tax” and they are not affected by the famous “first apron” that handicaps certain franchises when adjusting trades.
Two-way contract : Designed to create a new bridge between the NBA and the G-League, this type of contract allows each team to secure the services of two or three additional players, to have them play mainly in their affiliated development league franchise but also up to 50 matches in the NBA.
