2. Memphis Grizzlies
The Memphis Grizzlies made a surprise appearance in the NBA Playoffs last year, defeating the San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors in the NBA Play-In Tournament en route to the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference. They won Game 1 against the Utah Jazz but went on to lose the next four games.
That experience helped them immensely, as they turned into legitimate contenders this season. The Grizzlies finished the season 56-26, giving them the second-best record in the NBA.
Last offseason they stayed the course, for the most part, making trades you would normally see from a rebuilding team. The rebuild is over, as the Grizzlies are ready to compete for a title.
Ja Morant is going to get a max extension, so this could be the last offseason the Grizzlies have a lot of operating room when it comes to the cap. Landing Miles Bridges would give them the best young nucleus in the NBA.
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Bridges, who is 24, would be an elder statesman of this roster. He would be joining the 22-year-old Morant, 22-year-old Jaren Jackson Jr., 23-year-old Desmond Bane, and 20-year-old Zaire Williams are the team’s core going forward.
There isn’t a player currently on the roster that is even 30-years old.
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The Grizzlies are here to stay and Bridges could be their go-to wing scorer for years to come. Steven Adams could be used in a sign-and-trade deal as the Charlotte Hornets have a need at the center spot. Dillon Brooks would be an intriguing wing target to get in return as well.