NBA Preview: Can the Memphis Grizzlies improve on last season?

Memphis Grizzlies

Placing last season: 41-25 (4^th in Western Conference, Playoffs: First round exit)

Key moves: Little changed in Memphis bar the draft pick of Tony Wroten late in the first round. Wroten is a raw guard with little three-point ability but the potential to get to the rim on a regular basis could help the Grizzlies.

Their only trade of the offseason was for Wayne Ellington from the Minnesota Timberwolves, giving up Dante Cunningham in return. Ellington has shown few signs of progress in his three years in the league and remains a fringe player.

Challenges ahead: While most teams have gotten better, the Grizzlies have stood still in the hope that their team improves organically. Whether this is possible his highly questionable and they could be one of the teams that takes a step back in the coming season.

Reason to be positive: The Grizzlies’ record last year was despite losing Zach Randolph to injury for a large portion of the lockout-curtailed season. If Randolph is back to the form he showed at the tail end of the year and the year previous, when the Grizzlies knocked out the first-seeded Spurs, then anything is possible for this young team.

Prediction: 47-35 (6^th in Western Conference)

image: © ilovememphis

Jason Torquato

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Jason Torquato has always been passionate about sport and has played golf and tennis from a young age. In recent years, he has mostly enjoyed sport from his sofa, which has allowed him to accumulate knowledge and good understanding of numerous disciplines, with a special focus on American sports. Jason can’t fall asleep or wake up without listening to a sport podcast.