2011-2012 Finish: 27-39

Season Highlight

After a terrible 2010-11 campaign in which the Grizzlies managed to win just 28% of their games the team improved greatly in 2011-12. In a strike shortened season, the Grizzlies still managed to win more total games and improve their win percentage to just below 41% for the year. The Grizzlies clearly took a step back towards being competitive in the Western Conference. Now it’s time to see if GM Rasho can finish the job and complete this turn-around.
Season Lowlight

Despite improving, the Grizzlies did not make the playoffs this past season. Worse yet, they stood at the back end of a wide-open race for the eighth playoff spot in the Western Conference and were never truly a contender to steal that spot. And even though the team improved, they are still a long ways from being a playoff contender next season. While some of the pieces are in place, the Grizzlies do not have a core to be competitive with the top teams in the NLL. However, there is still much to do in this off-season, and so I would not count the Grizzlies out completely just yet.

Best Trade

Given the current conditions of the Grizz, the trade bringing in Ben Gordon was the best move for the team. Not necessarily for what Gordon brings to the table, but for his ability to help move Memphis deeper into a rebuilding stage. At the time, before Brendan Haywood’s contract was reduced, getting him off the books was a very smart move. Having to let go of Jameer Nelson as well to get anything of value in return (Ben Gordon) was a necessary consequence as well. And it just so happened, that the gamble on Jeff Teague to be ready to take over paid off. The Grizzlies got a more balanced team, and were able to reduce the amount of money they had committed to older players long-term since Gordon’s contract ends after this next season.

Worst Trade

The trade sending away Kyle Singler may end up being the worst for the Grizzlies. However, much of that depends on the growth of Singler as compared to Orlando Johnson. Johnson was picked up with the pick acquired for Singler.

Other Notable Trades

The Memphis Grizzlies made no other notable trades.

Best FA Signing

The Memphis Grizzlies did not sign any free agents of note this past season.

Worst FA Signing

The Memphis Grizzlies did not sign any free agents of note this past season.

Star

Thaddeus Young-PF – Playing in all 66 games this season, and starting in 54, Young played very well this season. This team definitely did not have a true “star,” but Young was the closest thing to it in 2011-12. He led the team in scoring with 18.1 PPG and was third in rebounding at 5.9 RPG.

Surprise

Jeff Teague- PG – Teague came into the league with tons of promise, and lived up to some the hype this past season. He started in all 66 games at PG for the Grizzlies and did exceptionally well considering the lack of any elite sidekick to really defer to on the court.

Goat

Luke Babbitt-SF – A first round selection by the Grizzlies in 2010, Babbitt has not been able to contribute much yet. He played in 57 games this past year, but did not particularly dazzle. He could only manage to shoot 27% from behind the 3-point line and only shot 67% from the FT line. To his credit, Babbitt does not really take away from the team, but he looks like a wasted pick at this point in his career at a time at which Memphiscannot afford many of these types of mistakes..

Draft Report Card

The Grizzlies were able to quietly make their selections and at the end of the day they ended with Austin Rivers, Orlando Johnson, and Bernard James. All three were fine additions, given where each was selected.

Rivers was the team’s prized pick. He has some question marks, but there is no denying his talent. Rivers gives the Grizzlies a combo guard who can score the ball. Since Memphis was not one of the best scoring teams last season, hopefully he can become a long-term solution to that problem.

Johnson and James were both second-round pick, which rarely pan out. However, Johnson can score the ball and proved that throughout his college career. He was a little inefficient in the NBA’s summer league, but if he can catch up to the speed of the game at this level then his scoring may allow him to stick in the league. James is already 27 and slid in the NLL draft likely due to this fact. However, his size may allow him the chance to stick in the league as well. Both Johnson and James are niche players, and are assets that should help the Grizz start rebuilding.

Looking to the Future

It is fairly obvious that the Grizzlies, as currently constructed, would not make a very formidable squad. There is still much restructuring to do. However, luckily for the Grizzlies, they have some pieces to trade and others that could come together to form a solid rebuilding effort. This team is just two years removed from an NLL Championship, so GM rasho has proven he is capable of winning a title in this league. However, now he needs to prove he can rebuild a squad and do it again.

Upcoming Free Agents

Danilo Gallinari – The young, promising SF has already committed to re-signing with the Grizzlies for next season, which is good news for Memphis. Gallinari is one of the young pieces that the Grizzlies should build around. However, his new deal looks to be fairly lucrative (rumors say the Grizzlies are ready to offer up a deal worth around $10 M per year) and Gallinari will now have to live up to his new contract.

Kris Humphries – Like Gallinari, Humphries also would like to return to the Grizzlies. But his asking price combined with a full backcourt may cause the Grizzlies to pursue a sign-and-trade option instead. The combination of Joakim Noah, Enes Kanter, Young, and Humphries would be nice to have, but is just too expensive.

Semih Erden – Erden looks as if he is going to go back to Europe to sign a deal with a Turkish team instead of returning to the NLL next year. The Grizzlies do not necessarily need him, but it does mean they lose a young big for nothing.

Tyler Honeycutt and Derrick Caracter– These two were former second-round picks who have team options that could be picked up. We will see whether or not these two remain in the team’s future plans.