The Memphis Grizzlies are officially eliminated from playoff contention, but their era of prosperity is really just getting started. With a talented core of players, the Grizz have enough to make waves for years to come. Team GM Zach Kleiman even confirmed that the front office will spend whatever it takes to keep their guys in town for the long haul.
(via ESPN):
“We’re not going to have any issues paying anyone who we want to pay,” Kleiman said. “There’s never going to be any issue with retention here.”
Kleiman emphasized that is what owner Robert Pera wants. Memphis’ goal is maintaining team chemistry while working toward winning a championship despite being one of the league’s small-market teams. Memphis ranked 10th in the league for merchandise sales recently, with Morant ninth among players.
“We’re not worried about small-market notions or any of this or that,” said Kleiman, this season’s NBA Executive of the Year. “We’re not going to have any issue whatsoever keeping together whoever we ultimately decide along the way.”
“Whatever I’m allowed to say under the NBA rules without violating the CBA, I hereby say about what our plans would be for Ja,” Kleiman said.
The Grizzlies have a lot to consider about who they want to pay. Guys like Dillon Brooks, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. might be keepers. Obviously, Ja Morant is important to keep around as well. Good thing for Memphis, he seems to want to stay:
“I’m definitely happy to be here,” said Morant. “Memphis is my home. If your [question] is do I want to be in Memphis? Hell yea!”
With a few more tweaks and some time, the Grizzlies could become a true powerhouse in the NBA. In fact, if they play their cards right, the Grizzlies could even come out of this as champions. But first, they have to ensure they keep their most important guys. That core is capable of great things, and the Grizzlies seem to know that more than anyone.
