(Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)
The gritty Memphis Grizzlies showed flashes of greatness this year, but there are three key moves they need to make this offseason.
The Memphis Grizzlies put up a valiant effort in the 2021 NBA playoffs despite having the league’s third-youngest roster. Memphis’ roster is largely secured for next season and their core players gained valuable playoff experience despite losing 4-1 to the top-ranked Utah Jazz.
With Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks at the center, the Grizzlies’ future is bright, especially if they can make these three important moves this offseason.
3. Decline Justice Winslow’s team option
The first step to a good offseason for the Grizzlies is to decline the team option on Justice Winslow‘s contract.
Winslow hasn’t looked quite the same since the hip injury he suffered in July 2020 and had a down-year in 2020-21. He suited up for just 26 games for the Grizzlies, averaging 6.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists a night — all the lowest averages since his rookie season. He saw just three minutes of playoff action.
Here’s hoping Winslow makes a strong return in 2021-22, but we don’t think the Grizzlies should pick up his team option at $13 million for next season. Instead, letting Winslow walk sets the Grizz up with the cap space needed to go after other free agents this summer.