ESPN's way-too-early power rankings projects the Grizzlies to miss the play-in next season

The Memphis Grizzlies have a busy offseason ahead. In this episode, co-hosts Damichael Cole and Joe Mullinax discuss ESPN's low ranking of the Grizzlies for next season, Luke Kennard's contract status and second round draft options.
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Make Every Moment More. Right now, NEW customers get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET. That’s TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET!! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
LinkedIn
LinkedIn Jobs helps you find the qualified candidates you want to talk to, faster. Post your job for free at LinkedIn.com/LOCKEDONNBA. Terms and conditions apply.
BetterHelp
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Make your brain your friend, with BetterHelp. Visit BetterHelp.com/LOCKEDONNBA today to get 10% off your first month.
eBay Motors
From brakes to exhaust kits and beyond, eBay Motors has over 122 million parts to keep your ride-or-die alive. With all the parts you need at the prices you want, it’s easy to bring home that big win. Keep your ride-or-die alive at EbayMotors.com. Eligible items only. Exclusions apply. eBay Guaranteed Fit only available to US customers.
PrizePicks
Go to prizepicks.one... and use code lockedonnba for a first deposit match up to $100!
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply.
FanDuel
Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Make Every Moment More. Right now, NEW customers get TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET. That’s TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - with any winning FIVE DOLLAR BET!! Visit FanDuel.com/LOCKEDON to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms…
🎧 link.chtbl.com...
Locked On NBA League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft, WNBA & More
🎧 linktr.ee/Lock...
#MemphisGrizzlies #JaMorant #Grizzlies #NBA

[@60zeller]

I like this. Hey grizzlies, everybody says you suck. Now go prove them wrong

[@tobiasz6613]

being under the radar is fine.

[@chrisstewart7027]

ESPN seems to have forgotten that before the injuries we finished top 3 two years in a row. The number two seed if I remember correctly. The Grizzlies were a very hard team to beat when they were at full strength. Yeah, Ja had some not so healthy off the court activities that hurt the team, plus everybody got injured, but the Grizzlies at full strength is a very good team and beat all these teams that claim to be winners. We still have to prove it in the playoffs, but I think all we're missing is 2 bigs for the rotation and 1 good perimeter shooter. Mark my words. Fully healthy, Grizzlies will be beast next season and top 5 seeding guaranteed.

[@cliftonwindham4116]

I love it because this is only fuel to the fire to work hard.Our Grizzlies is forgotten therefore I feel that we will bounce back and will shock the NBA once again with a top 4 to 5 seed where they will PUT SOME RESPECT ON THERE NAME!!!! IM FIRED UP!!! #LETSGOGRIZZLIES

[@walkerdevin08]

This take from ESPN is gonna age like spoiled milk.

[@HyugaVault]

If they stay healthy it's the best ranking. More fuel for the fire

[@davonbaskett7310]

Taylor Jenkins should’ve been FIRED💯 Worst rotations in the league plus he doesn’t have any discipline towards the players. Jaren hasn’t developed a midrange/postup offensive game YET🤦🏾‍♂️ Get rid of him asap

[@jamesparker6569]

Miss the play in? With a healthy Ja, Dez, and JJ..... adding the improved play of V. Williams and GG, there is no way on God's green Earth they don't end up as a top 5 seed!! People must have forgotten!

[@hartdahl]

Restructure Luke's contract. Draft Edey at 9 (~$5M/yr). Sign Valanciunas or Mo Wagner at MLE 👍

[@michaeljoy7132]

Don’t need to waste time on ESPN’s trash power rankings. As much as we need shooting, if the coaching staff doesn’t assist Luke with the ability of getting open shots then we don’t benefit like we should. Also the rest of the team has to shoot better excluding Bane and Vince.

[@MoggerFogger]

ESPN always plays into their favorites and politics. What do you expect?

[@sylvesterwilliams1931]

With Luke knowing of his defensive limited abilities he will be reasonable during negotiations. He will stay with the team.

[@Eagle8]

@@sylvesterwilliams1931 You nailed it!

[@neanam]

Why isn't Derrick Rose not considered ja back up?

[@dregamingz]

Injury prone and under performer

[@colbybrand5326]

I don’t understand where you guys are coming up with the math that we are still over the first apron if Kennard agrees to a small cut? Not being snarky, I’m trying to figure out where I am going wrong. According to Spotrac our active roster with a Luke Kennard extension is $173,097,320. Then they are including a number #9 pick to be valued at $5,773,800. The total is $179,126,315. This shows us over the first apron ($178,655,000) by $471,315. They show the Kennedy chandler dead money ($2,019,699) as not impacting the first apron? I am unsure if this is accurate? Seems like it should, but I would think a site that specializes on this would get this right? Then Yutas contract ($2,654,644) is no longer our responsibility, correct? Because he is opting to abandon it? So if chandlers dead money for some odd, weird, nba rule/reason, does not impact the aprons AND yutas contract is not relevant AND Kennard signed an extension AND the number for the pick #9 is accurate, I see us as being at, $176,471,671 which is $2,183,329 under the first apron? I’d love for someone to poke a hole in this and I would not be surprised if they did at all. I just want to understand what I am missing. Even if you added chandlers dead money in, you’d be under the apron by around $100k. So certainly if you got kennard to lose a few million, you’d be way under?

[@isaacwilson1238]

Bro it ain’t this deep

[@Eagle8]

We just have to prove ESPN wrong!

[@kkrectalobliterationchan-zl9lx]

shouldn't be too hard

[@nedarriusjohnson]

Unless they think health and chemistry gone be a issue im not saying Thunder(50/50), Clipper, Kings(50/50), Pelicans, Suns, Lakers, Warriors, or Mavericks better then us. Minnesota and us are similar but Ant had more time to develop his game.

[@terrancemorgan1743]

First off, "I like the way too early power rankings because it adds fuel to the fire." To ensure a healthy season, the Memphis Grizzlies must adopt a multi-faceted approach. This involves implementing injury prevention strategies within their training programs to minimize the risk of player injuries. They should also manage player minutes effectively during games to prevent overuse injuries and provide guidance on recovery and rehabilitation techniques to facilitate player health. Ensuring that players adhere to proper techniques and routines is crucial in preventing injuries and maintaining their well-being throughout the season. Additionally, adding depth at every position, especially at center, and making strategic trades to strengthen the roster can further enhance the team's chances of staying healthy and performing at their best. If these strategies are implemented correctly, fans know the team is more than a fringe play-in team and will, in fact, secure a top 5 seed in the West.

[@Eagle8]

Adding Kennard to the roster was a mistake. He'll look good in some regular season games, but when the games really matter, he's a no-show. Good luck!

[@jeffhunter8664]

A championship team will need shooters who can play great defense. One dimensional shooters will not get it done. Simimilarly, if you can only play defense and cannot shoot, it won’t work. You can’t make a non shooter a three point threat.

[@Fchwpo_7]

Disagree and agree 😂 but if you have elite rim protection you can live with a JJ redick player "off the bench"

[@walterparker7803]

8

[@60zeller]

If the Grizzlies just had a female head coach or GM ESPN would have them right behind the Celtics

[@PlutonicDuck1416]

B/R had us at 9. Pleasant surprise

[@m3staxxx701]

Overall or in the west? Overall makes sense

[@robertbarnett1984]

1 - Not angry. Seems about right to me. 🤷‍♂

[@Eagle8]

Agreed 100%! The west has a lot of good teams. Boston's coach said it right, he stated that there's not a lot of difference between NBA teams. The only difference is dedication and detail. Luka learned this in the finals. Conditioning and defense are required by every player to win big.

[@rh9626]

The Grizzlies still have big problems, and they need to address those in the offseason. Meanwhile every other team in the West is getting better and better. On top of all that, they are never healthy.

[@kevinmalenius3971]

I would not say every team in the west is getting better and better. The top of it it is but the middle of it isn’t. Phoenix isn’t and they got a million problems the lakers are older Sacramento just isn’t better talent wise the clippers may lose Paul George and New Orleans we don’t even know what they’re going to do with their roster this summer. Sure the grizzlies got to get a center but all signs point to that. I just named 5 teams they’ll be better than that made the playoffs except SAC and they were 9. So saying they’ll be a top 5 seed isn’t wild at all

[@Eagle8]

I think they have one big problem. They lack a big. A quality big that can give 20 to 25 minutes a game may give them a fifth seed.

[@Fchwpo_7]

Every team has a big problem wolves "kat always choke " Rudy can't guard NOBODY " ANT 22. OKC ... "ALL Young BUT SGA AND SMALL AF IN THE FRONT COURT" suns ALWAYS HURT ALSO clippers are the clippers CHOKERS 😂 other than the nuggets Memphis can beat ANY DAMN TEAM IN THE WEST buddy

[@Fchwpo_7]

​@@kevinmalenius3971grizz will be top 3seed screen shot this