It’s Time for the Memphis Grizzlies to Rebuild

Adam Aaronson
Jul 26, 2017 · 3 min read

Many today believe in the philosophy that if you aren’t a contender and just a middle of the pack team, you should rebuild and get new franchise centerpieces through the draft.

The Memphis Grizzlies have long been the antithesis of this theory, always seemingly content with getting to the playoffs and competing while they’re in the postseason, despite never being a true championship contender. But now is the time for the Memphis Grizzlies to finally bottom out, trade away their veterans, and build through the draft.

The Western Conference is deeper than it’s ever been, and Memphis will likely be on the outside looking in at the playoff picture. The worst thing to be is a team that just missed the playoffs and be at the back end of the Draft Lottery, and going in no direction.

At some point, they have to realize that they need to take a few steps back in order to take more steps forward in years down the line.

The Grizzlies have never been a team that has been able to attract big-name free agents. So they only way they can get young cornerstones is through drafting. They need to give themselves every chance possible to find their new stars.

Luckily, they have the ability to do so.

What makes a rebuild even more appealing to the Grizz than to other teams is the fact that they have two players who are stars right now, Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, who have massive trade value. Moving those two players for a slew of young players and draft picks will put them in a fantastic position going forward.

Gasol would be a huge help for any team in need of a bigman due to his fantastic defense and solid all-around game. A specific team he’d fit well with is the Milwaukee Bucks. What if the Grizzlies could get some combination of Khris Middleton, Malcolm Brogdon, and Thon Maker, plus draft picks?

Conley is a top-tier point guard, and he’d be a perfect fit for the Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets have a ton of quality assets, like Emmanuel Mudiay, Jamal Murray, Wilson Chandler, Trey Lyles and a slew of draft picks. A few of those players plus draft picks would be hard to turn down, even for a star of Conley’s abilities.

If the Grizzlies do decide to rebuild, the next few years will be a struggle for Grizzlies fans, who are accustomed to just being fine. But the fruits of their labor could very well put them in a much better spot than they ever were during their “Grit and Grind” era.

The Unprofessionals

Relentlessly honest opinions on all things sports and entertainment.

Adam Aaronson

Written by

Sports writer for The Unprofessionals (unprofession.com)

The Unprofessionals

Relentlessly honest opinions on all things sports and entertainment.

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