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NBA: Predicting the 2019 draft lottery teams

By Colin Cann

SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy dribbles during a game against Mater Dei High School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
SPRINGFIELD, MA - JANUARY 15: R.J. Barrett #5 of Montverde Academy dribbles during a game against Mater Dei High School during the 2018 Spalding Hoophall Classic at Blake Arena at Springfield College on January 15, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/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) /

11. Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies have been written off after a disastrous season last year. They seem to have become an afterthought. Mike Conley missed all but 12 games and didn’t look like himself in those 12 putting up 38 percent from the field and 31 percent from downtown.

Marc Gasol also didn’t look like himself, shooting a career-low 42 percent, even worse the defensive intensity that earned him the 2012-13 DPOY has waned. I won’t even get started on what an unproductive stay Chandler Parsons has had in Memphis.

Jaren Jackson Jr. flashed the potential that had him so highly touted after a season at Michigan State with limited playing time. He showed a smooth shooting stroke and blocked a ton of shots. Memphis will need him to grow up fast though if they hope to stay in contention, wishful thinking when it comes to a player as raw as Jackson Jr.

Losing Tyreke Evans has to sting too, he may have been their best player last season. Still, though, the Grizzlies have the right combination of veterans and youth to make a run at the playoffs. They will ultimately fall short because of the competition they will face on a nightly basis out west but they will remind the league there is still some Grit-n-Grind left in ’em.

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