The Memphis Grizzlies have not signed any players in free agency so far. What does it mean?

Three days into free agency, the Memphis Grizzlies have not made a move. In this episode of Locked On Grizzlies, hosts Damichael Cole and Joe Mullinax discuss the latest in free agency, Grizzlies summer league schedule and a Lauri Markkanen report.
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[@baggyclothes4life991]

I understand what they are saying, but the grizzlies never seem to be able to trade for a star player ever and can never sign any in free agency. Not even once. Their only way to get star level players is to draft them. That is mind boggling.

[@keethb.7117]

No true superstar wants to play in the city of Memphis that’s really what it comes down to

[@anthonyhall4793]

@@keethb.7117 Not true! This is a small market team for sure. I'm one to say the right opportunity hasn't presented itself!

[@Sergiosurroc]

Uh Marcus is a star

[@Sergiosurroc]

@@keethb.7117whose a true superstar?

[@stevensheegog3942]

He is right. Star players DO NOT want to play in Memphis. The sooner you can accept that the better you will be emotionally. This was true for San Antonio. They build through the draft and won 5 gold balls.

[@jimjim2505]

We don’t need a bunch of superstars we have our core 3 we got our Center a great bench Let’s gooooooo

[@instantactionz4284]

I’m going to be pissed if we straight up run it back with the only change being us drafting those 3 players

[@robertbarnett1984]

Agreed. So far just seems like sloppy cheapskating. I mean I'm happy about the new guys, but this is just excitement over a new shiny thing.

[@Eagle8]

I feel ya! This Grizzlies core players are in their prime. We may never have a more talented group again. Some owners are more serious about winning a championship, while others are more concerned about the bottom line. A professional championship would do wonders for the city.

[@michaeljoy7132]

Excellent show! Our off season is going exactly how I predicted for the reasons stated in the show. We have been injured for 3 entire seasons.. the projected starting lineup has played 21 games together in 3 seasons. We need a healthy season to see if the team can play together. I’m sure the front office is trying to make moves but being honest the moves we need and want to make I probably wouldn’t accept if I was the other team. I think we will go into the season with some holes that can be filled after this coming season.

[@steamboatbill4]

I’d say jjj deserves the bag more than anyone on the team. We should keep him at all cost

[@reeceeooo2671]

They missed out on James Wiseman, which they'll soon see.

[@Eagle8]

I would love to see how much it cost Indy to give Wiseman a two year contract. The kid is just 23 and had much pressure on him after being drafted 2nd in the draft. People forget he only played HS ball. The couple of games at U of Memphis don't count. He goes to a championship team. He literally went from playing middle school to college ball. He has a soft touch from 20ft and in a very good FT shooter. The Grizzlies could have worked with him and used him as a back-up big.

[@anthonyhall4793]

We been waiting to see for the last 5 years. Not saying that Wiseman has reached his prime just saying there isn't a lot more upside to be attained.

[@Liz_Mushroom]

I don't want the Grizzlies to go all in on just anyone just to make a move. If they go in on someone, I hope it's someone who is somewhat healthy and good for the culture.

[@rh9626]

It’s the same thing every year now - they never sign free agents other than role players that come off the bench… Zach Kleiman is a gambler, just hoping and praying that the team magically stays healthy for once and that all their players play better than they ever have. Apparently he doesn’t believe in reinforcements, only replacements.

[@johnelliott3439]

The Grizzlies have plenty of reenforcements compared to most teams that are competitive in the Western Conference. The problem for every team is their best players being available.

[@SteadyAscension]

@@johnelliott3439 no we don’t. Konchar, LaRavia, Zaire, Aldama, 19 year old GG along with 3 new rookies are not gonna take deep into the playoffs. Look at all the top teams in the west and east and they are farrrrr deeper in talent

[@ek1743]

​@@johnelliott3439 fax

[@johnelliott3439]

Would you want Kyle and DeAnthony back. Neither could shoot in playoffs.

[@stevensheegog3942]

@@johnelliott3439excellent point. The Timberwolves moved on from So-Mo.

[@terrancemorgan1743]

If Jaren Jackson Jr. can genuinely play center, he needs to prove it to his teammates and against players like Nic Claxton and Anthony Davis. While it might be exciting to see Lauri Markkanen join the Grizzlies, it's not necessary to acquire a high-caliber player to win a championship. The Grizzlies can succeed through continuity and by having serviceable players in positions where they might be weak, such as at the backup center and the backup point guard spots.

[@trueprophets4704]

Jaren has nothing to prove. He’s shown that’s he’s an elite defender. If anything he’s teammates needs to prove they can be better defenders and not always putting him in bad position

[@eyestamihana2114]

@@trueprophets4704Steven Adams was the KEY that unlocked THAT door…so agree it can be done….but good luck with finding a gem like you had in Adams that BEAST is one of a kind….

[@trueprophets4704]

@@eyestamihana2114Jaren was a very good defender before Adams. With any good rebounding big with a little rim protection he will look elite because he can focus more. Adams good but Jaren can do this with a lot of centers in the league

[@eyestamihana2114]

@@trueprophets4704 of course he was a good defender before Adams but you be Trippn(pun intended😳🤣) to think the year JJJ got DPOY Steven Adams didn’t have a MASSIVE part to play in that….and I would put my house on it that Trip agrees with that statement….and by the way Adams is better than good…for all the things he does to make a Team better-the things that don’t show up on the shiny stat sheet Adams is ELITE….put my other house in THAT too!!!!…and if you don’t think so go ask the PLAYERS!!!!

[@trueprophets4704]

@@eyestamihana2114​​⁠😂😂 you gone lose your house my friend lol. Of course he’s going to say it. He would also say Dillion was a huge part of it. Jaren was going to win a DYOP regardless if Adams was there in his career. But your point honestly makes no sense for one reason and it’s the fact Adams didn’t play since mid January. Adams miss 40 games and only played 30 games with Jaren on the court so his impact on Jaren DYOP was not that great. So unless you think he won off of 30 games you will lose that house 😂😂. And yes he is good. Good passer and elite rebounder but that’s about it. Well good screener also

[@60zeller]

See how thing’s go with this roster. Mid way through the season you can make adjustments at the trade deadline

[@robertmichaeljones]

Wow, I didn't realize Markanen was a superstar! I thought he was maybe an average NBA player... maybe a fairly valuable contributor.

[@robertmichaeljones]

I was joking a bit, but I did nnot realize he was that good. Smart plus 5 first round picks, wow! Do you think we could trade Bane plus maybe only 3 first round picks to get him?

[@marquesjohnson1494]

Go Grizzlies

[@daddad4589]

IMO heavy on wings is where they want to be now after the draft. Grizz rank high in 3pt shooting attempts and now you have the front court players who can cleanup and rebound on some of those shots. Team needs slight tweaks not major moves.

[@robertmichaeljones]

I look at it this way: Who on this curent roster do you think absolutely MUST go? And not just who do "you" think must go, who do you think the front office is convinced must be dealt way? From my perspective and experience watching the Grizzlies and the administration, I do not think there is anyone they are in a huge hurry to get rid of. So having said that, there likely won't be a lot of moves in free agency. In addition, I have begun to trust this staff on moves over the last few years.

[@johnelliott3439]

I agree. The "gap year" prevented the evaluation of lineups and groupings. The Grizzlies going 6-3 with Ja playing with most of the key players on the roster available suggests that the group without a true center would have a top three record. Marcus Smart hasn't been this healthy in several years. Zaire may finally be 100%. We cannot be sure what that means in terms of his contribution. I look at the veterans who have been signed by other teams, and very few impress me. The ones that are interesting are getting overpaid, IMO.

[@robertmichaeljones]

@@johnelliott3439 Yeah the only thing I think we learned about the team last year is that Jaren CANNOT be full time center.

[@steamboatbill4]

I think Edey is the only one that could have an actual impact this year, but I want to see the other two draft picks lighting it up from the nba arc. Not every good college shooter becomes a good nba shooter, so we’ll see

[@Shhh11.]

I really hope they dont try going for a star, we need more good role players thats it

[@Mello-999]

Utah got centers: Kyle Flilipowski, and Walker Kessler. It might be difficult for Edey to handle both of them simultaneously.

[@jdubworld3503]

Edey will be fine as long as Jared is at the 4 for weak side blocks

[@johnelliott3439]

But can either one of them handle Edey?

[@KingEugene-901]

I don't understand how y'all did not see him dominate these people.. he used to dominate Chet Hologram.. this Zach Edey dude is gonna prove so many people wrong. Receipts 🧾☑️

[@Sergiosurroc]

Flip is trash , Kessler is ok 😂😂😂

[@SashaGreybeard]

You guys see the rumors of Walker Kessler maybe being available and Dray saying he was almost a grizzlie last year?

[@colbybrand5326]

Memphis passed on some great, very cheap, centers that would have gladly signed here. The only reason for not signing Luke kennard immediately is to avoid the first apron temporarily, sign using an mle, then sign Luke. If you’re not going that route, then why put Luke through this big stall? It does seem that we are really timid about money and the clock is going to start ticking on this amazing squad. At some point you have to go all in, if you don’t, the likelihood of winning it all is dramatically diminished. My biggest fear is that we have a front office more worried about profit than winning. I get it but if you have 15 owners that don’t view this as a profit thing, it makes beating them difficult.

[@jay2funny817]

3 7 footers on 1 starting 5 is insane tho😂

[@trueprophets4704]

Yea no it’s not best believe Jaren bots going to be playing center.

[@user-do4hw9vp2b]

For all the cons of trading for Lauri, a starting lineup of Ja, Des, GG, Lauri and JJJ with Edy, Brandon, Luke and Vince is as potent as any team out there health permitting. I think that at least deserves consideration

[@ek1743]

To get Lauri, you'd have to give up GG. Jazz are rebuilding and have no need for Smart

[@user-do4hw9vp2b]

@ek1743 at this point who would you rather have GG or Lauri.

[@user-do4hw9vp2b]

@ek1743 As much potential as GG has Lauri gives you a championship edge right now and he's still young

[@ek1743]

@user-do4hw9vp2b gg. He's cost controlled, younger, has way more potential and can come off the bench. Grizz don't have a place for Markannen to fit in their lineup with Trip and Edey. Nba doesn't play big guys together normally, and rarely plays 3

[@user-do4hw9vp2b]

@ek1743 GG has tons of potential and is younger but Lauri gives us a championship window right now and Lauri could fit with JJJ and Edy

[@yomama8391]

Grizzlies Owner doesn’t need to do the same mistakes as previous owner and Gm has done with those draft picks. Keep our 1st rounders . If it ain’t big name players ,then it’s a no go . Don’t sacrifice our future for an unsure win now season. We get finessed out of picks like taking candy from a baby . I will say the bench needs to be upgraded with better shooting and rebounding. All the money is tied up between Ja,Bane and JJJ. I would trade the entire bench. Santi soft as hell ,afraid to attack the rim . No playmaking either . Smart can go for a bigger wing . Zaire mediocre when it comes to playoff basketball.

[@ek1743]

Grizz roster can compete for a championship AS IS. We have defense, scoring, passing, decent shooting. We need Luke back but we're good. We have more depth than most teams too Lauri Markannen is Trip with way less defense and way more offense. Not a good trade.

[@ek1743]

@EthaJeffaP_68 When Edey is not playing, they'll go small and use Trip, Trey pr BC

[@ek1743]

@EthaJeffaP_68 lol yea he back and he should be back to his regular form. Our bench is DEEP

[@boochtron]

No offense, but you guys can't compete for crap

[@ek1743]

@@boochtron cool thanks

[@boochtron]

@@ek1743 You guys need to be serious. There are 4 teams that are DEFINITELY better than the Grizzlies: Thunder, Nuggets, Wolves, and Mavs. So best case scenario the Grizzlies are the 5th best team. Yet still have to compete with the Warriors, Lakers, Pelicans, Kings, Rockets, Suns, etc not in order that are all good teams. That's where the Grizzlies are.

[@SteadyAscension]

Poverty franchise. This is not surprising. When you use the 9th pick to get a rookie big to solve all your problems instead of trading the pick to get a veteran with some proven role players proves we are not serious. It also proves we are not willing to cross the first apron

[@sylvesterwilliams1931]

It’s just basketball business.

[@jonathans8760]

It was proven last season that when called upon Ziarie Williams, John Konchar, Jake LaRavia, Derrick "old" Rose, and Santi Aldama can not consistently make the plays to help you win games. On the contrary, they have negative impact on games which make you start the season with a 6-19 record and only win a total of NINE home games the entire season. The fact that ALL of those bums are somehow STILL on the roster is absolutely mind boggling and points to the fact that Zach Kleiman has no clue what he's doing.

[@davonbaskett7310]

GET RID OF JAREN AND GET LAURI Jaren never around all 4 quarters anyway🤷🏾‍♂️ Entirely Too Foul Prone

[@MRW_Prods]

Jaren was the best player on our team last season. Why would we trade him? He has made a huge impact on the team, and not to mention his chemistry is great with just about anyone on our team

[@davonbaskett7310]

@@MRW_Prods He gotta Go

[@anthonyhall4793]

I don't know why everyone wants to get rid of Jaren. He was DPOY before last season and has improved offensively by leaps and bounds. Mix them together with a year that he doesn't have to be the Center full time and He can be the most impactful player on the team. Trade some of the terrible +/- wings!

[@Eagle8]

@anthonyhall4793 Unfortunately, they're not tradable. Konchar, Zaire, and Aldama play at a G-League level. Konchar has been extended. Rose's injury history and missed games record was well known.

[@davonbaskett7310]

@@anthonyhall4793 He’s just a taller Dillon🤷🏾‍♂️ Horrible Shot Selection and FOUL PRONE

[@mikewilloughby1119]

I think that because the city of Memphis is so lawless, that players are apprehensive to locate in Memphis!

[@stevensheegog3942]

No they think the city is boring.