Memphis Grizzlies Should Try Smaller Lineup Next Season

The Memphis Grizzlies will probably make the playoffs based on how well they played in the early season, but they aren’t a threat to win the title due to Marc Gasol‘s recent foot surgery.

He won’t return until next year, and the Grizzlies should seriously consider going small at that time. That means they would have to trade Zach Randolph, and there will be at least one team interested in his services this summer.

This argument may seem ridiculous at first, but what many don’t understand is that Gasol is the perfect center for small ball. He can pass, shoot, dribble, keep up with forwards and post up opposing big men. When Randolph is on the floor at the same time as Marc, the Grizzlies don’t have enough space to get anything going offensively. Their only option is posting both guys up, but defenses have become too sophisticated at double-teaming for that to be a successful strategy in the long run. Memphis should really think about having Gasol be their only starting big man at the start of next year.

The Grizzlies should also consider taking it easy the rest of this season. Mike Conley has a lot of pride in his abilities, but he would understand it if management asked him to have an “ankle injury” sideline the point guard in the last few months. There is no reason for having one of their anchors get hurt in a couple months of meaningless basketball.

If by some miracle Memphis actually adds a marquee free agent, then they will be contenders again before anyone thought it was possible.

The Grizzlies recently beat the Los Angeles Lakers 128-119 in Kobe Bryant‘s final game in Memphis, and the shooting guard was held to only 13 points. That game could be a sign of things to come for Memphis. Randolph was the only true big who started for them, and they must contemplate running the team this way next season too.