The Memphis Grizzlies were one of the biggest surprises of the 2019-20 NBA season. After the franchise traded Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz, the prevailing thought around the league was that Memphis would be at the bottom of the Western Conference standings despite having talented youngsters Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way.
All the pundits who picked the Grizzlies to finish as a lottery team looked foolish as soon as the season began. Morant and Jackson Jr. instantly developed chemistry and Memphis quickly became the team that has no All-Stars on it, but its hard to defeat and won't back down from anyone. The Grizzlies had a record of 32-33 before the season was suspended. They were in the eighth spot in the West.
Morant was the front-runner to win the 2020 Rookie of the Year award before the season was put to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2019 No. 2 overall pick was averaging 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists while shooting 49.1 percent from the field, 36.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 77.0 percent from the free throw line.
If the season resumes, Jackson Jr. will be back in the lineup for the Grizzlies. The second-year stud was dealing with a knee injury before the season was suspended. He was averaging 16.9 points and 4.7 rebounds in 54 games for the Grizzlies. Memphis is giving the keys to the franchise to Morant and Jackson and hoping the two kids can lead the organization to the promised land.
One of the biggest storylines of the 2019-20 season was the Andre Iguodala situation with which Memphis dealt with. The Golden State Warriors were forced to trade Iguodala to the Grizzlies in order to create room to acquire D’Angelo Russell as part of the Kevin Durant sign-and-trade deal with the Brooklyn Nets. Morant, a student of the game, was looking forward to playing with Iguodala and learning from the former Finals MVP.
However, Iguodala never showed up to the Grizzlies. He stayed away from the team while the front office looked for a trade. Memphis eventually sent him to the Miami Heat.
Morant and Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks had a little back-and-forth with Iguodala through the media. Memphis fans were proud of the way their two young guards handled everything.
The Grizzlies' future is extremely bright with Morant, Jackson Jr., Brooks, Justise Winslow, Brandon Clarke, Tyus Jones, and Jonas Valanciunas leading the charge as the team's core. However, if the 2019-20 season is canceled, here are some moves Memphis can make to bolster the organization's future.
3. Sign Marco Belinelli
The Grizzlies hit 710 3-pointers as a team before the season was suspended. That was 23rd in the NBA.
Belinelli could help Memphis become a better 3-point shooting squad. He becomes an unrestricted free agent in the offseason, as his contract with the San Antonio Spurs is set to expire.
Belinelli is the perfect veteran shooter to come off the Grizzlies' bench and light it up from deep. The 34-year-old is a career 37.6 percent shooter from beyond the arc.
2. Re-sign Josh Jackson
Jackson appears to be figuring it out, both on and off the court. The former fourth overall pick played most of the year in the G League, where he was humbled after being a star his whole basketball life.
If Jackson can continue to stay grounded and out of trouble, the Grizzlies may have a steal here. After all, there was a reason the high-flyer was the fourth overall pick in the 2017 draft by the Phoenix Suns. He's got insane athleticism and innate scoring skills.
Jackson averaged 10.4 points and 3.2 rebounds while shooting 43.9 percent from the field in 18 games with the Grizzlies after being called up in January. He becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
1. Sign Marvin Williams
Williams signed with the Milwaukee Bucks after agreeing to a buyout with the Charlotte Hornets. Like Belinelli, Williams is another good, experienced player to have on your team since he's an efficient 3-point shooter and smart veteran.
Marvin is a career 36.2 percent shooter from deep. The more shooters you can put around Morant, the better. Ja is one of the best drivers in the league.
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