2024 NBA Off-Season Preview: What’s Next For The Memphis Grizzlies?

The NBA off-season for the Memphis Grizzlies will be focused on free agency and draft picks as the Grizzlies look to redeem last season.

2024 NBA Off-Season Preview: What’s Next For The Memphis Grizzlies?

Season Recap

This NBA off-season presents the Grizzlies with a chance to redeem a disappointing 2023-2024 NBA season. They finished 3rd-to-last in the Western Conference standings. Superstar Ja Morant essentially missed the entire season due to a 25-game suspension to begin the year, followed by a torn labrum, putting him out for the rest of the remaining regular season. Power forward Brandon Clarke also missed most of the season recovering from the Achilles injury he sustained the previous year. Other notable injuries that aided in a derailed season included those to Steven Adams, Desmond Bane, and significant offseason trade acquisition Marcus Smart.

By the end of the regular season, Memphis had won only 27 games and held the NBA’s seventh-worst record, accumulating 55 losses. A sign of throwing in the towel came when they traded Adams to the Houston Rockets at the February trade deadline, as well as Xavier Tillman Sr. to the Boston Celtics. Etch it in stone: it was a season that Memphis would prefer to bury six feet underground. However, the upcoming NBA off-season for the Grizzlies should be a bright one.

2024-2025 Projected Cap Space and Draft Picks

45 million in cap space

With over 45 million dollars in cap space, there is room to improve the roster. Memphis may try to find another big man to replace Steven Adams. However, they could also look to the draft to fill that void. Memphis has a projected luxury tax line of 171 million dollars next year.

Draft Picks: 9, 39, and 57

Primary Draft Targets

Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan is one player to watch for to land in Memphis. With their first pick coming at the nine spot, a big man like Clingan may still be hanging around. Along with Purdue’s Zach Edey, Clingan is one of the draft’s best rim protectors, and his abilities at the center position fit what the Grizzlies need if they want to pair someone with Jaren Jackson Jr. in the paint. Memphis could also look at the other big man in the draft, Baylor’s Yves Missi. Projected to be a mid-first-round pick, Missi made the Big 12’s All-Defensive and freshman teams. His defensive, shot-blocking, and rebounding abilities could also be a fit beside Jackson Jr.

One area of need this off-season is shooting. Tennessee small forward Dalton Knecht was known for his shooting, averaging over 20 points per game over multiple college seasons. His fit in Memphis would be that of a reliable shooter, coming off the bench behind Luke Kennard and Brandon Clarke. Reed Sheppard is another shooting guard that several other NBA teams have on their board. He shot 52 percent from three while averaging 4.5 steals per game with the Kentucky Wildcats. His 2.5 steals and ball-deflecting prowess highlighted his defensive abilities. As with Knecht, Sheppard is another shooter who would fit with the Grizzlies and possibly earn backup point guard minutes.

Memphis will look at centers who can complement 2022-23 Defensive Player of the Year, Jaren Jackson Jr. Both Clingan and Missi have the potential to fit that role. As for adding shooting depth, both Sheppard and Knecht are viable options coming off the bench. It’s also a possibility that Memphis trades up in this draft. They had the seventh-best odds of landing the No. 1 pick. Instead, they fell back to the No. 9 overall pick. What has the potential to be even more disappointing is the fact that Southwest Division rivals—the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets—were two teams that received earlier picks at No. 3 and 4.

Pending Free Agents and Possible NBA Off-Season Departures

Free Agents

With no primary free agents for the Grizzlies, this bodes well for their NBA off-season maneuvering. Jordan Goodwin is on a two-way deal with the Grizzlies and their G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. He played in 57 regular season games with the Grizzlies this year, averaging 6.5 points and 2.7 assists in 18 minutes per game. Unrestricted free agent Lamar Stevens played in just 38 games. He averaged 7.2 points in 14 minutes off the bench.

Luke Kennard has a 14 million-dollar team option. Whether the Grizzlies pick up Kennard’s option remains to be seen. Kennard could be dangled in the trade market, and some teams, due to his long-range shooting skills, would love to have him.

Realistic NBA Off-Season Targets

 Trade

This past NBA season, a positive note for the Memphis Grizzlies was the play of players GG Jackson II and Vince Williams Jr., who were surprising in shooting and defense. Respectably, both Jackson and Williams made solid impressions. If Marcus Smart is still on the Grizzlies roster next year— “if” being the key word as Smart’s name is being tossed around the trade rumor winds—adding reliable 3-and-D wing in Finney-Smith is a fit the Grizzlies could work with. His 35% career shooting from three is an asset combined with his defensive ability to guard some of the best wings in the league.

Current Portland Trailblazers center Robert Williams III has a tattered injury history. However, his time with the Boston Celtics showed that his presence on the defensive end can anchor a top-seeded team when healthy. If Memphis were to miss out on a few big center names in the draft, trading for a player like Williams could be an acceptable backup plan.

Free Agents

Valanciunas brings with him the familiarity of playing in Memphis. He has been a highly productive player over the last three seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans. In his thirteen-year career, Valanciunas has only averaged less than double figure in points once, his rookie year with the Toronto Raptors. He would also provide the perfect Steven Adams replacement as a strong and steadfast paint defender. Andre Drummond is also a name to keep an eye on as a trade target in the same way Valanciunas is. Drummond brings size, rim protection, and rebounding. Although he carries little offensive capabilities, he can still produce as a seasoned defender. As for Kelly Oubre Jr., he statistically had a stellar season for the Philadelphia 76ers. If he doesn’t re-sign with the 76ers, he would be a prime free-agent target for Memphis to boost their offense and three-point shooting this NBA off-season.

With key players back and healthy for next year, returning to a 50-win season is in the cards. With cap space and solid free-agent targets available this NBA off-season, the Grizzlies have options to continue building around former NBA Rookie of the Year and franchise player Ja Morant.