2019-20 Finish: 39-43

 

Season Highlight:

The highlight of the Grizz season is the team�s orientation and commitment to the defensive side. GM Rootsey has been hard at work to bring in the best young defensive players in the game and he�s been quite successful at it. This team has a clear identity and the result is one of the most unique teams in the NSL because of it.
 
Season Lowlight:

That would have to be the playoff chase and subsequent loss of the last spot to the Dallas Mavericks. At one point, it looked like a 3 team race to the last spot and Memphis looked like they had a real shot, but in the end, Mavs held onto it.

Best Trade:

Memphis sends: Thomas Bryant
Memphis gets: Aron Baynes, 1st Dal �20 (Poku), 1st Phi �22, 1st Sac �23

This was one of the most discussed trades of the season, and it became the baseline by which all of other trades were judged upon with the subsequent sentence �well, Thomas Bryant went for 3 1sts so my offer isn�t that bad�. A lot of people forget Baynes was also on that trade and he had value too, probably amounted to the same production as TB. I�m not a big fan of Bryant, but the Raptors clearly are, so I say big win for the Grizz.

Worst Trade:

Memphis sends: Favors, Juancho Hernangomez
Memphis gets: Marc Gasol

I would say this one is the worst because Gasol showed clear signs of decline and was most likely a 1 year rental. Favors is ok and will be a solid big and Juan had a resurgence in his career so this takes the cake.

Other Notable Trades:

 

Memphis sends: Kabengele, 1st Dal �20 (Poku), 1st Pho �21
Memphis gets: OG Anunoby, 2nd rounder

In terms of value, this is probably ok because OG is a nice player and eventually the Phoenix pick will turn out to  be a top 5,  most likely, but neither pick is possessed by the Magic anymore.

Memphis sends: Enes Kanter
Memphis gets: Derrick White, 2nd rounder

This was a great trade, because Derrick is one of those young up and coming guards in the league, and Spurs wanted more of a win now piece. So Rootsey took advantage.

Free Agency:

Marc Gasol - UFA - He�s announced that he�ll be leaving the team, as he in the stag of his career of chasing titles.
Aron Baynes - UFA - Also another departing FA, probably should�ve been flipped but Memphis was trying to win, which I love.
Kris Dunn - RFA - Team has extended the QO and will go intro restricted FA, another defensive piece.
Meyers Leonard - UFA - Meyers is probably fated to be overpaid his whole career and that should be the case again. Should leave as well.

Star:

Jaylen Brown

This is the absolute leader of the team, at least while JJJ becomes of age and develops on his immense potential. He�s so athletic, cars about defense and has become a consistent player in the league, top 30 in my book. Can he be more than that? Only he, himself can say that, because he�s got all the tools to do it.

Goat:

I�d say one of the guys that was recently traded, Bruce Brown, because honestly, his impact in the NBA does not and perhaps will never translate to 2k. this season was no different and he had a season that doesn�t really show on the statline.

Draft Grades:

Pick 45 � Tre Jones

B- Grade

Not really a surprise to anybody, another defensive minded prospect in the middle of the 2nd round. Tre Jones bring a high IQ, a good place in the NBA and defensive instincts for days. A great fit, however limited the ceiling.

The Future:

This team has a lot to be thankful for this year, because GM Rootsey consistently made trades that made the team better. The team has a great young nucleus of players that mostly match the team identity and with their best years ahead of them. One thing that I would argue is about the high end talent present on the team. Is Jaylen a superstar long term? Probably not. Is JJJ a superstar? He can be, but I don�t really believe it. Eventually, will they be forever a team that has good but not great players? These questions need to be asked, but they have a solid foundation to do so.

C: ???

PF: Jaren Jackson Jr. / Kyle Anderson / Darius Bazley

SF: OG Anunoby / Matisse Thybulle / Jake Layman

SG: Jaylen Brown / Tyler Herro

PG: Derrick White / Marcus Smart / Chris Chiozza