The Memphis Grizzlies embarked on an inspiring journey during the 2021-22 season. They were in ninth place last year and advanced to the first round of the playoffs through the play-in tournament, but they were magnificent this season, finishing second in the Western Conference before losing to the Golden State Warriors in the second round.
Ja Morant, the newly-minted Most Improved Player, also finished seventh in the MVP race before sustaining an injury that sidelined him before the end of the regular season. The ascension of the players from the Grizzlies roster was not limited to Morant as Desmond Bane was also in contention for Most Improved Player and Jaren Jackson Jr. was sixth in voting for Defensive Player of the Year.
Building through their core as the second youngest franchise in the league, these are three names the Grizzlies must keep an eye on when free agency begins.
Grizzlies early targets in 2022 NBA free agency
Entering next season, the Grizzlies are just 24th in the association in committed payroll to their players. They may end up losing Kyle Anderson and Tyus Jones because both players are unrestricted free agents. Thus, the front office must pursue a big-name wing like Miles Bridges even if he's likely to stay with the Charlotte Hornets.
Bridges is a restricted free agent, but the Grizzlies may seriously negotiate an offer sheet with him and force the hand of the Hornets to match it. He would complement the core of Morant, Bane, and Jackson Jr. because he is a 3-and-D wing who could take charge at any given time. Some troubles of Memphis in the playoffs occurred when Morant was off the floor, reminding of the team's lacking overall offensive punch.
Bridges is still not at a star or superstar level, but he can definitely be an upgrade on the wing for coach Taylor Jenkins.
Jalen Smith
For a team that struggled to rebound against the Warriors, Memphis is in need of an athletic big who can pound it in inside with the best bigs in the league. Steven Adams is a bit too slow in competing with the likes of Draymond Green or Deandre Ayton, while Jackson Jr. is more of a finesse big who likes staying on the outside. Brandon Clarke's size and length deficiencies were exploited at times against Golden State, too.
Smith was sparingly used with the Phoenix Suns, but he proved that he could be effective when he was utilized by coach Rick Carlisle with the Indiana Pacers. He consistently posted double-double numbers along with being able to run the floor and match up with the quicker bigs.
The 22-year-old current value is still far from his potential, so the Grizzlies must pounce on this opening and add another big to their lineup.
Jones' offseason departure is a realistic possibility for Memphis, and pursuing Patty Mills from the Brooklyn Nets would be a plausible contingency. Mills has a player option on his contract for next season, but if he does not exercise it and gets back on the open market, the veteran guard could choose among the franchises chasing him.
When Morant was hurt, Jones was an ultra-reliable playmaker and opportunistic scorer who would contribute in various ways that would keep the defense guessing. Mills was terrific in the first half of the season through his spectacular outside shooting. When defenses lock in on a singular Bane and Dillon Brooks are still not at an All-Star level.
The addition of Mills would give them another shooter who stokes fear in the hearts of defenses, making life easier on the Grizzlies' primary scorers whether Morant is in or out of the lineup.
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