Detroit Pistons vs. Memphis Grizzlies 2019-20 season preview

Grizzlies offseason moves

The Grizzlies had one of the busier offseason’s as they had 19 different players come in and out either by way of draft, free agency, or trade. The major trade that indicated Memphis’ intensions of ending the Grit and Grind regime was when Gasol was dealt up north to the Raptors in exchange for C.J. Miles, Wright, Jonas Valanciunas, and a 2024 second rounder.

This then prompted Memphis to trade away their other franchise player in Conley. Conley who was heavily rumored to be going to the Pistons in February, ended up going to Utah in exchange for Grayson Allen, Jae Crowder, the 23rd pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and a protected 2020 first rounder.

Miles was flipped to the nation’s capital for Dwight Howard who later signed with the Lakers, and Chandler Parsons’ brutal contract was flipped to Atlanta for Solomon Hill and Miles Plumlee.

Valanciunas was re-signed to a three-year, $45 million-dollar deal, while Andre Iguodala was brought in along with a 2024 first round pick (top 4 protected) for pretty much free. This gives the Grizzlies an insanely experienced 3-time champion and a finals MVP to mentor their young core.

Sticking with the youth movement theme, the Grizzlies dealt Jevon Carter and Kyle Korver to the Suns for De’Anthony Melton, 2020 and 2021 second round picks, and troubled former No. 4 pick Josh Jackson. Restricted free agent Tyus Jones was signed to a three-year, $26 million contract this offseason to back up Morant who was selected No. 2 overall in this past year’s draft.

Morant is an extremely athletic and explosive point guard who was a walking highlight reel for Murray State last season throwing down some ridiculous dunks. Many doubters of Morant pointed to the non-existent competition in the Ohio Valley Conference outside of Belmont’s Dylan Windler, who was selected by the Cavs in the end of the first round.

Morant, however, dominated Marquette in the first round leading the way for the Racers with a 17-point, 16-assist, 11-rebound triple-double to upset the Golden Eagles. In today’s NBA getting a triple double, especially as a point guard, means you’re the “next Russell Westbrook” however Ja is much more than that.

Joining Morant from the draft is Brandon Clarke, a forward from Gonzaga who was a steal in many people’s minds all the way down at pick No. 21 when he was mocked to be a late lottery pick.

I personally love a majority of these deals and hope that when the Pistons eventually tear it all down, that we get as nice of a haul in return for our stars similarly to what the Grizzlies’ front office pulled off this offseason. The Grizzlies have a really good thing going down in Tennessee and it will be really interesting to see how they pan out this season and a few down the line from here, that being said, let’s take a deeper look into the Pistons and Grizzlies’ two matchups this season.