10. Memphis Grizzlies
X-Factor: Chandler Parsons
It may not come as a surprise to most that the Memphis Grizzlies have made the playoffs in each of their last seven seasons. The surprising part is that the Grizzlies have been a 5-8 seed in each of those seven postseason trips. Memphis has been consistent, but not exactly dominant in the Western Conference, and their consistency is about to run out.
Mike Conley’s one of the more underrated PG’s in the league, and fans should yet again expect another 20+ PPG season. Either Wayne Selden or Troy Daniels will start at SG assuming Tony Allen fails to re-sign with Memphis. Chandler Parsons needs to stay healthy and productive for the Grizzlies to stay in the playoff hunt.
Brandan Wright has the distinct honor of replacing Zach Randolph at power forward. Marc Gasol is entering his 10th season in the NBA and in Memphis, coming off an all-star season and his best scoring year yet (19.5 PPG).
Rounding out the rest of the Memphis rotation is Andrew Harrison, Wade Baldwin IV, Mario Chalmers, James Ennis III, Jarell Martin, and Deyonta Davis.
The Grizzlies are famous for their slow tempo and stout defenses in the past years. It’s led them to the postseason for the last seven seasons. But the Memphis brand of basketball will only grow older along with the their roster, and they’ll miss out on the playoffs in 2017-18 because of it.
Final Record: 36-46