#3 Memphis Grizzlies
In terms of long-term success at the top of the NBA standings, the Memphis Grizzlies have the greatest upside out of any team in this league right now.
Currently 53-23, the Grizzlies have emerged as a true championship contender this season, even though they are still one of the youngest teams in the league.
Ja Morant is a true MVP-like talent at the point guard position for them and both Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. are two solid complementary pieces on this roster, but adding another All-Star could really be the final, missing piece for the Grizzlies.
Given their athletic abilities as a team, Zach LaVine would fit right in next to Ja Morant in the backcourt in Memphis and immediately become their second scoring option which can be labeled as one of their only weaknesses right now.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Should There Be More Concern About Bulls Due To LaVine’s Knee?
Bane and Jackson Jr. are great, as is the Grizzlies’ overall depth, but outside of Ja Morant, this team really does not have a “go-to” scoring option that is viewed as a legit star on a championship-caliber team.
Zach LaVine is exactly this kind of talent and next to Ja Morant, these two would immediately form the best backcourt in the league, rivaling that of the Phoenix Suns with Devin Booker and Chris Paul.
Adding Zach LaVine to a roster with Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Dillon Brooks, Desmond Bane, and other young, athletic players instantly makes the Grizzlies an even better team than they already are and they would finally have the second-star player to lean on other than Morant’s production.
Salary-wise, many would think the Grizzlies would have trouble signing Zach LaVine outright in free agency, but Tyus Jones, Kyle Anderson and Jarrett Culver entering free agency frees up $23.8 million for the Grizzlies to play around with in the offseason and it is possible that Memphis could look to move veteran center Steven Adams, who will be entering the final year of his contract worth upwards of $17.9 million.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Should There Be More Concern About Bulls Due To LaVine’s Knee?
Pursuing a player like Zach LaVine is certainly an option for the Grizzlies entering the offseason, as this young franchise is only going to continue to grow over the next several years.
