Are the Grizzlies Still Contenders?

The Memphis Grizzlies had been linked to many trade scenarios throughout the last few weeks, but the rumors all began because of one thing: saving money. Small market teams do not want to go over the luxury tax for a team they do not have full confidence in.

Apparently, Grizz ownership did not feel as though the team they had constructed since they traded their franchise player in Pau Gasol to the Lakers in 2009 was good enough to win a championship. So here we go again:

Rudy Gay shipped to Toronto in a three-team deal that includes the Detroit Pistons. The Grizzlies were left with Ed Davis, a relatively unknown athletic big man who has a unique skill set, but is still viewed as a project player, as well as Tayshaun Prince and Austin Daye. 

The issue with this move is that the Grizzlies believed that the pairing of Rudy Gay and Z-Bo as the two-headed monster was just not working, however, they really only gave them a season to work out the kinks. Tayshaun is at the end of his career and probably wont be happy with the relocation to Memphis because he chose to re-sign with Detroit, citing his family as the main reason. 

Austin Daye is an attractive piece as he was highly touted coming into the league but has not been more than an afterthought since. He could be the integral future piece the Grizzlies look back on in a few years that made this trade not only worthwhile financially, but on the court as well. 

All in all, the Grizz shook things up to save money. Their season was an afterthought to new ownership because when you purchase something, you want to protect your investment. The Grizzlies will remain in the thick of things, but most likely toward the bottom half of the West.