Tonight seems most appropriate to talk about the Memphis Grizzlies. While the Wolves are down to their record equals at the half, these two teams are in fairly similar situations having both recently traded their franchise big men. Sadly for fans in the Volunteer State, the Grizz have been in a pseudo-rebuilding mode for the last few years, only to fully commit mid-way through this season. While things haven't gone very well in Marc Iavaroni's first year away from Phoenix, they have a solid core with which to create a contender down the road.
Prospects: Memphis has a rather strong stable of prospects, but the problem is their distribution by position. Guards Mike Conley, Kyle Lowry, Javaris Crittenton and Juan Carlos Navarro are all worthy of playing time on a young team like this, but they're all slotted as point guards, with only Crittenton and Navarro reasonably shifting to the 2-guard spot (and Navarro at shooting guard opens up a match-up hole on defense). The frontcourt youth is also strong with Rudy Gay, Darko Milicic and Hakim Warrick. Rudy looks like he'll be a star in this league, but could still use some mental maturation on the court. Warrick is coming up on the end of his rookie contract and has yet to show that he deserves to start for a playoff team, but he's had some flashes here and there that make him worth keeping around. Darko is the most interesting player in this group. After signing a 3-year deal with Memphis, they envisioned him as a long-term frontcourt partner for Gasol. He has yet to prove that he deserves to be starting at all, however. No one questions his shot-blocking ability and people need to stop stating the obvious about his draft position, but Darko can't seem to find consistency in his offensive game. The saving grace is that his contract runs two more years and isn't too heavy of a burden for a young 7-footer.
Draft Picks: (RealGM) Memphis doesn't have any killer debts to pay, but they have done a good job of accumulating 1st rounders. They owe Washington a 1st rounder for Navarro, but due to protections it won't likely be handed over for quite a while. Their 2nd rounder this year is going to Portland and one goes to the Lakers in 2010. In exchange for Gasol, they did acquire a couple 1st rounders (2008 and 2010, both from the Lakers), but given the Lakers strong present and future, neither look to be higher than #20.
Salary Cap: (Shamsports.com) Trading Pau Gasol put the Grizzlies in pretty good shape financially, especially with Kwame Browns's $9 million expiring deal. They will probably look to re-sign Navarro, and with a high 1st rounder coming their way they'll likely be right at the cap. With some minor finagling they could be in a position to bring in a strong free agent, but if you ask me this stage in a rebuilding process is not the time for big signings. It makes much more sense to me to find out who your cornerstones are, lock them up, and then bring in the hired help.
Veterans: You really have to wonder what Mike Miller's thinking these days. After all the trade rumors, who knows how close he was to playing for a contender this year. But, to his credit, I've never heard a peep about him sulking about being on such an unsuccessful team for so long. If the Grizzlies can get some cap relief or picks, or better yet use Miller to move Brian Cardinal's ugly deal ($13 million for two more years...for Brian Cardinal). Jason Collins, the better of the Collins twins, came in exchange for Stro Swift. While he's not very good on offense, Collins doesn't have a huge contract and can contribute quite a bit on the defensive end. He's certainly not a player to build around, though.
What's Left: Aaron McKie may have the distinction, along with Keith Van Horn, of inciting changes to the CBA. He'll be gone this summer. Casey Jacobsen and Andre Brown have not shown anything to make re-signing them over other minimum-contract prospects or vets worthwhile.
While Memphis is in a good position looking forward, problems in the owner's box loom. Moreover, while their youngsters and picks provide hope, they have yet to find a true cornerston, like Jefferson in Minnesota and Durant in Seattle. Gay will likely be a primtime player, but can he carry a team deep in the playoffs in the not-too-distant future?
