Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

NBA: Biggest surprises and disappointments of the 2017-18 season thus far

By FanSided User

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 13: Victor Oladipo #4 of Indiana Pacers and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder watch the action during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 13: Victor Oladipo #4 of Indiana Pacers and Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder watch the action during the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on December 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 8
Next
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 13: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts after being called for a technical foul against the Washington Wizards in the second half at Capital One Arena on December 13, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 13: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts after being called for a technical foul against the Washington Wizards in the second half at Capital One Arena on December 13, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Memphis Grizzlies

In recent years the Grizzlies have been one of the most consistent and reliable franchises in the leauge. In the 2017-18 season, they have been anything but. It has been a nightmare year for all involved in Memphis. The Grizz are currently 12-26 and in 14th place in the Western Conference. For a team that was looking to compete and make the playoffs for an 8th consecutive year, it has been a massive disappointment as seemingly everything has gone wrong.

This team is built around its two stars, Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. Conley has missed over a month with Achilles soreness and his return does not appear to be imminent. Without Conley, the team has been forced to rely on players like Mario Chalmers and Andrew Harrison.

Gasol, who will turn 33 in January, has started to show his age. Gasol is shooting just 41.1% from the field and has lost a step on defense. The Grizzlies may have made the wrong choice when they decided to stick with the aging Gasol and move on from head coach David Fizdale.

This is a team that can’t compete now and is not built for the future. They are committed to three contracts that are nearly unmovable in Gasol, Conley and Chandler Parsons. With these three on the books and limited resources elsewhere, the next few seasons could be very rough in Memphis.

What to Watch For:

Tyreke Evans is healthy and having his best season since he won Rookie of the Year. Look for him to be a potential trade piece for a contender that is looking for an additional creator off the bench that can score efficiently and set up teammates.

He is only under contract for this season, so it will be difficult for the Grizzlies to acquire a real asset in return but he provides little value to a team that is headed for the lottery. The Grizzlies should try to get as much as they can for Evans now, preferably a draft pick or a young player to help with the inevitable rebuild.

Home/NBA News