Grizz Begin Their Offseason

Grizz Begin Their Offseason​

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The Grizz have started their offseason with a few key moves.  Their focus; to get younger.  "We plan on rebuilding for a few more years." said Grizz GM.  "A majority of our bigger contracts expire in two years so when that time comes we plan to make a big splash in free agency.  Until then we are focusing on getting quality youth with our focus on defensive minded players.  With Hassan winning DPOY we feel if we can add some more defenders we can be a top defensive team in the league.  Even so, we will still be looking for one or two scorers to add to this team."  The Girzz made a few moves so far this offseason.  We will assess them and then address the future plans the Grizz have with this team.​

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Hassan won DPOY with Grizz​

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The first move the Grizz made this off season was trading the 7th pick and KJ for the 9th pick, $5 and Lakers 2nd.  "We felt their were a few good players around the 7 to 10 part of the draft.  So, we moved the 7th pick and got some cash considerations also.  We were also able to off load KJ who we felt wasn't going to get any minutes here in Memphis." said Grizz GM.  "We were able to get our guy at 9 and get some cash at the same time.  So, we felt this trade really benefitted us."​

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With the 9th pick the Grizz picked Jarrett Allen.  "We feel Jarrett Allen has good potential to turn into a really good defender.  We were looking at him with the 7th pick and still got him with the 9th pick.  Jarrett will start off the bench this season and we will work very hard with him so he grows into a good player.  The main thing we want to do is to work on his shot blocking.  Rebounding will also be our focus.  If we get Nerlens back Jarrett will see some time as the 4th big.  Moving Udoh for some cash will allow Jarrett to see some time and get some much need experience." said Grizz GM.​

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High hopes for Jarrett in Memphis​

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With the 13th pick the Grizz drafted Josh Jackson.  "Josh is one of the top defenders in the draft.  And since we are trying to construct a defensive minded team he will fit in well here.  Like Jarrett Allen we feel Josh Jackson has some good potential.  Working on his jump shot will be a focus of ours as we continue to develop him.  But he should become a key player in our rotation for this season and the up coming season." said Grizz GM.  "We will give him all the time he needs as we feel he can become a very good defender."​

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As mentioned before the Grizz also got a second rounder pick in the Lakers trade.  They later traded the pick with their own second rounder for cash.  "Cash is not easy to make in this league.  We felt we can use the roster space for some vets as we already have a good amount of young talent to develop.  So, moving the two seconds allowed us to make some more cash and free up roster space for some vets." said Grizz GM. "We also were able to get JJ Hickson from Toronto for some more cash.  Hickson is a decent player but has a big contract.  But, he expires the same time we would like to make a big splash in Free Agency.  So, getting him hasn't really hurt our future."  The Grizz also traded Markieff Morris for more cash and got back a younger player in Barnes.  "We will see how Barnes does in Training Camp but we aren't going to have high expectations for him.  Again, he expires in the two year window we are looking to make a Free Agent splash in."​

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Grizz excited to select Josh with 13th pick​

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The Grizz are either looking to add some vets come Free Agency or get some young players for cheap.  "We would like to bring back Nerlens Noel.  He fits perfectly on this team.  A rotation or Hassan, AD, Noel and Jarrett can be one heck of a rotation.  We will offer him a good sized offer and we are prepared to match what another team offers him." said Grizz GM.  "We will also like to get Dennis back but Nerlens is our number one priority."  We may have a bit of cap space left to either sign a young player or a vet.  We will see how things go.  But its looking like not much else will be done if we get Nerlens and Dennis back."​

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Grizz looks to be headed in a good direction.  They have a plan to make a splash in free agency in two years from now.  Until then they are looking to add quality youth and further their rebuild.​