Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA: Re-seeding the Western Conference after the Free Agency

By Jacob Doole

NBA Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NBA Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 21: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies congratulates Marc Gasol #33 in the final seconds of their 82-81 win over the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 21, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading andor using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 21: Mike Conley #11 of the Memphis Grizzlies congratulates Marc Gasol #33 in the final seconds of their 82-81 win over the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 21, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading andor using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

The inbetweeners

These teams look to be stuck on the outside of the  playoff race, but are making moves to win now.

13. Memphis Grizzlies

Last season: 22-60, 14th

Notable ins: Jaren Jackson Jr, Kyle Anderson, Jevon Carter, Omri Casspi, Shelvin Mack

Notable outs: Tyreke Evans

The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the hardest teams to read heading into next season. They were undeniably awful last year, but were without one of their two best players for most of the season.

With Mike Conley suited up alongside Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies enjoyed seven straight playoff appearances before last year. But the roster around those two has changed a lot since the glory days of Grit and Grind.

That duo will be surrounded by an inexperienced supporting cast. At this stage, Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson and JaMychal Green will fill the rest of the starting lineup.

Anderson was the marquee signing of the offseason for Memphis, inking a four-year, $37.2 million contract. And while he enjoyed a career-best year as a starter last season, he reeks of a Spurs player who will struggle outside of their system. He shot just 33.3 percent from deep, and looked more of a stopgap solution than a long-term starter.

Jaren Jackson Jr. looked great in summer league, and should fit well with Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. Outside of that, though, the Grizzlies have a plethora of unremarkable role players filling out the roster.

In the East, that would likely be enough. In the West, however, they may struggle for a second straight season.

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