Memphis Grizzlies: Poised for biggest turnaround in 2018-19?

After making the playoffs for 7-straight years, the Memphis Grizzlies find themselves with the worst record in the NBA. Can they make a turnaround in 2018-19?

The 2017-18 NBA season has been a disappointing one for the Memphis Grizzlies. Accustomed to being in the thick of the playoff hunt every season, the Grizzlies currently have the worst record in the NBA.

The Grizzlies main issue this season was being able to stay healthy and play consistent minutes with their best players. Mike Conley Jr. played in a total of just 12 games this season before having season-ending foot surgery. Chandler Parsons also hasn’t played more than just a couple of games since December.

Once Conley went down, the Grizzlies lost any momentum they had and went on an 11-game losing streak.

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With the injuries and losses ensuing, the Grizzlies seemed to quietly start tanking earlier than most other teams. The Memphis Grizzlies have not won in the month of February or March with 19 losses in a row. Their last win was January, 29th against the Phoenix Suns.

Could the Memphis Grizzlies make a major turnaround next season?

Due to the Grizzlies doing such a great job of tanking, they have the best chance to land the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft. Adding a Marvin Bagley, Michael Porter Jr., or Deandre Ayton (even if Gasol stays) will improve the team right away.

However, Mike Conley returning from foot surgery next season is the most important factor in the Grizzlies making a turnaround next year. The Grizzlies are a much different team when Conley is healthy and on the floor for them.

Memphis has gone 11-44 this season with Conley out of the lineup and 7-6 with him. While some of this is a result of tanking, this is still a telling statistic showing how much he means to the team. Chandler Parsons will also hopefully be fully healthy and ready to prove he can play consistently again without injury.

Additionally, Memphis also has some quality young players on the roster who will provide meaningful minutes next season.

Ben McLemore is starting to find his place in the NBA and is turning into a productive player. The Grizzlies drafted Dillon Brooks out of Oregon who put up solid numbers as a rookie and looks like a big part of their future. He averages 10 points per game and is a great 3 and D player so prevalent in the NBA today.

The biggest question for the Grizzlies will be what happens with Marc Gasol. Gasol has expressed his frustration with the losing situation the Grizzlies were facing this season. Yet again this year there were trade rumors surrounding Gasol’s name which seems to be a recurring theme every year.

Keeping Gasol will be the most telling factor in what direction the Grizzlies decide to go in for the future. If they trade Gasol this offseason, the Grizzlies could be heading for a rebuild. If they keep Gasol, start next season healthy, and draft the best or second best player they’ll be in a position to go from last in the West to making the playoffs again next season.

The Memphis Grizzlies are a team who is accustomed to being in the playoffs each year. They have made the playoffs every year since 2011. Having the worst record in the NBA and being in last place is a rare feeling for them.

It’s hard to judge exactly what the Memphis Grizzlies roster will look like next season. This year has been filled with lineup changes, players hurt, players resting, everything possible. Memphis surely wants to put this season of disappointment behind them and look forward to a fresh start next year.

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Anything can happen in just one season in the NBA. Who knows where the Memphis Grizzlies may find themselves this time next season.

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