Should the Memphis Grizzlies Go After the 12-Time All-Star Point Guard?
Well, compared to some other teams this offseason, the Memphis Grizzlies have had a somewhat lackluster offseason thus far. The biggest moves thus far have been the addition of Ty Jerome from the Cavs, the addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope from the Magic, and the loss of Desmond Bane to the Magic. The Bane loss is the biggest move of the season for the Grizzlies, as he has been arguably the second-best player of late for them, averaging roughly 20.7 points per game over the last four seasons. On the flip side, Jerome is a good pick-up as the guard was a crucial piece in the Cavs’ 60-win season and one of the best three-point shooters last year as well. As for Caldwell-Pope, his greatest asset is likely his experience and leadership. However, if I’m the Memphis Grizzlies, I’m looking at Chris Paul very closely.
While Chris Paul’s playing days are largely over, as the veteran guard is currently 40 years old, he still stands as one of the greatest players in NBA history and one of the greatest point guards of all time. This experience and stature could be a viable asset to this Grizzlies team. For the last several years, no one has doubted the talent of the Memphis Grizzlies. Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr were all really good young players, but it was the team’s chaotic nature that seemed to stifle their growth. Injuries to key players were becoming all too common, Ja Morant and his gun antics had often been talked about in the media, and even back when Dillon Brooks was on the team, the NBA “villain” was getting into much on-court trouble. The addition of Chris Paul could be a calming and informative presence for a team of this nature, with the veteran helping steer the players to be less rash and more careful with their decision-making.
Chris Paul’s legendary stature would add a bigger voice to the locker room that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope can’t fill, despite his status as an NBA vet as well. Also, with Taylor Jenkins now gone, we’re not exactly sure how much Tuomas Iisalo can control the locker room and his players on the court. A player like Chris Paul can help silence these worries as the guard tends to act as an extension of the coach on the teams that he plays. So, while Chris Paul doesn’t necessarily bring more scoring or better defense to the Grizzlies, his mere presence and name could be enough to help reel in the buoyant and vibrant nature of a team with still so much potential and perhaps lead them to be a more cohesive and functioning group
