Adios. Farewell. So long. 

Good riddance to the 2023-24 NBA season.

The Memphis Grizzlies will not miss it. And perhaps its best that everyone in the city just forgets that it ever happened. 

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There is no need to dwell on the details — like an NBA record for players used because of injuries. We can now leave that in the past. 

Besides, there are other things to worry about.

You know, like next season. Which, all of sudden, is essentially here. 

Isn’t that nice?

In a week, the Grizzlies can start fresh this summer with the NBA Draft. Here’s an overview of the coming attractions: 

Draft day

The moment that the Grizzlies slipped to No. 9 on lottery day, it was evident that this pick would be heavily discussed in trade talks.

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And perhaps even before that. 

General manager Zach Kleiman has traded in every draft since he took over as the head man just before Ja Morant’s arrival. He has a history of this sort of thing. 

But now, as we close in on the big day, it appears even more likely that he may reposition than it did even a month ago.

While the draft is still generally viewed as weaker than usual, there is a little more clarity at the top than there previously was. 

It doesn’t seem likely that any of the obvious high-lottery fits for Memphis will slip beyond the top eight. Kentucky’s Reed Sheppard and UConn’s Donovan Clingan are the most notable of that bunch. 

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That development could invite trades both up in the draft order (or back) and has forced the mock draft experts to consistently note that the pick could be moved. It’s simple draft logic, but it clearly applies. 

Trade partners are out there. The Nets, Trail Blazers, Hornets and Clippers all stand out as possibilities. Perhaps Milwaukee could be interested in reshaping its roster this summer.

Memphis may hold the crown as being the hardest team to mock on a yearly basis. 

The draft also carries intrigue because it may also be a window into how the Grizzlies view their future from a strategic perspective. 

The team could continue to move towards a smaller overall lineup with an emphasis on shooting and mobility, presumably with the idea that Jaren Jackson Jr. is the center of the future. 

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They could also prioritize adding positional size, which they currently lack. 

Maybe they could find a blend of the two. 

You can expect that Kleiman will be asked about that vision for the future when the draft concludes next week. The talking point was brought to light by the hiring of new assistant coach and head of player development Noah LaRoche. 

 The great ‘big’ search of 2024

Daily Memphian columnist Chris Herrington already wrote about dozens of options the Grizzlies have to add a big man. 

I’ll save the time and point you there. 

But it should also be noted that the team may need to prioritize more than one newsworthy acquisition on the interior. Not only do they have the shoes of Steven Adams to fill, but also Xavier Tillman Sr., who just won a championship with the Celtics. 

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The Grizzlies don’t need one frontcourt piece. They probably need multiple. 

Their frontcourt, as it currently stands, features Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke and Jake LaRavia (although he may not be a true big). 

The rest of the players who gave them post minutes last season remain up in the air. 

Center Trey Jemison could return on another two-way deal, if the Grizzlies want to have him and he does not have a better offer. 

Lamar Stevens, who appeared in 38 games, is now an unrestricted free agent. His return would likely depend on roster spots, which the Grizzlies don’t have an abundance of at the moment. It seems unlikely he is back. 

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Even if neither player returns, it should be an easy fix. Memphis could utilize one of its second-round selections to fill out the back end of its frontcourt rotation with a two-way contract, or they could fill it via a player on a cheaper deal in a trade.

One player Herrington and others have thrown out as a trade possibility is Brooklyn’s Day’Ron Sharpe. 

The Kennard decision

Still looming for the Grizzlies is the decision to pick up or decline Luke Kennard’s $14.8 million team option entering next season. The deadline for that choice is June 29. 

Memphis could also renegotiate a new deal for Kennard if they would like. That is what is surely being discussed right now. 

Would Kennard, a new dad who seemed relatively happy in Memphis, agree to a deal that is a little bit more team friendly than the expensive team option? 

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If that answer is no, and the Grizzlies still decided to keep him, it would place them $3 million over the punitive first apron (when also considering the price of a guaranteed contract for the No. 9 overall pick).

It is a steep price. Maybe one the team is unwilling to pay.

It also doesn’t make sense when you consider that there is a $10 million gap between the first and second apron penalties.

If Memphis intends to be a team above the first apron, it may as well be as far above the line as possible without hitting the second apron restrictions. 

That’s a long way of saying this:

If you are a fan of Kennard, or just love saying “Luuuuuuuuke,” the hope would be that a new deal can be reached that keeps him in Memphis while also allowing the Grizzlies to freely spend draft assets.

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Otherwise, Kleiman would have to get very creative in his salary-dumping tactics. 

Who can be extended?

There are players that could be extended this summer, and then there are players that might actually be extended. 

Jaren Jackson Jr. is up for an extension but won’t sign one for several reasons.

His current declining contract would mean an extension less than the max, which he will surely seek. He could also make an All-NBA team next season, which would qualify him for a super-max deal. 

So, for all those reasons, it ain’t happenin’. 

Kennard isn’t signing an extension either, although he technically could. As previously mentioned, a new deal would be the preferred route. 

That leaves Santi Aldama, Ziaire Williams and Marcus Smart as players who both could and might be extended. None qualify as extremely likely to happen. 

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The Williams experiment hasn’t gone to plan just yet, but perhaps the front office has some level of faith in his development that most others do not see.

Aldama has been an inconsistent role player but does have flashes of skill, and his versatility and perimeter shooting as a frontcourt member is an asset. He may fit into future plans. 

Smart will be entering the third season of a four-year deal, which also makes him extension eligible. He’s already 30 years old and will be 32 when the deal is complete. Will his body hold up if he continues to play his bruising style?

That is something the Grizzlies will have to consider. It may also urge them to wait on a deal like that. 

Summer league

It typically isn’t a great sign when a fan base is heavily invested in summer league because — well, that usually means their team was bad enough to add high-profile rookies. 

Memphis fans get to be the exception this year. 

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Not only is GG Jackson expected to play, but also a (potential) lottery pick. Afterward, they will join a roster expected to contend in the West.

This doesn’t happen very often. 

So invest in it all you want in summer league, Grizz fans. You deserve to watch your team play competitive basketball after that miserable regular season. 

The Grizzlies’ Las Vegas summer league schedule hasn’t been released, but we do know of a trip of games they will play in Salt Lake City next month. 

Monday, July 8 at 8 p.m. vs. the Utah Jazz. 

Tuesday, July 9 at 6 p.m. vs. the Philadelphia 76ers. 

Wednesday, July 10 at 6 p.m. vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder. 

Summer league has been an effective tool for Memphis in the past. Desmond Bane and Aldama both broke out while playing for the Grizzlies in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas before becoming important parts of the rotation the following season. 

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GG Jackson already figures to have a role waiting for him, so it is fair to wonder if he will be used beyond the first handful of summer games. 

Coaching staff changes

At this moment, there’s nothing new to share on the expected restructuring of the coaching staff alongside Jenkins.

Historically, however, the coaching additions and changes are rolled out from July through September. Summer league may also be revealing, just by simply looking at the bench.