20. Memphis Grizzlies
When Ja Morant plays for the Memphis Grizzlies, this team is clearly a different team and a potential playoff team in the Western Conference. The problem for the Grizzlies is that they don’t have a legit second option after Morant.
The Grizzlies are a good bet to at least make the play-in playoff tournament but I don’t see this team as being a true threat to make any noise in the playoffs unless they make a drastic change at the NBA trade deadline.
19. Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are another playoff team from last year in the Western Conference that has been a disappointment this season. They are currently out of the top 8 in the Western Conference and. don’t have a clear identity other than “Luka Doncic or die.”
Even though that’s still a pretty good blueprint on most nights, the Dallas Mavericks need to figure out how to get this team to play at a higher level during the second half of the season.