The Memphis Grizzlies are poised to become one of the greatest bounce-back contenders in modern NBA history after an injury-plagued season that saw them fall from second place to the lottery. With their entire core back, it seems very likely that they will once again be a 50-win team and contend for home-court advantage in the playoffs.
They’ll try to do it with a rookie starting center, though. Zach Edey was a dominant player at Purdue, but his NBA reputation is highly questionable. If he’s not immediately ready to play, the Grizzlies have few options behind him: the diminutive Brandon Clarke, who’s coming back from a serious injury, or Jay Huff, who signed a two-way contract.
The Grizzlies are good enough to invest some points to maximize their team over the next few seasons. The entire core is 25 or older; they can’t wait for a rookie to develop. Making a move to upgrade the center position would make a lot of sense, and Jakob Poeltl could be the answer they need.
Adding Poeltl would make the Grizzlies extremely expensive going forward, but it would also give them a fierce defensive base with Poeltl playing alongside recent Defensive Player of the Year winners Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart. Jackson’s shooting alleviates some of the struggles of building around Poeltl on offense, and his screens and runs around the basket should fit in nicely.
Memphis was always a logical suitor last summer, and even if they drafted Edey in the top 10, they could still make an offer for Poeltl this offseason.
