How Grizzlies stack up in Western Conference, taking into account Ja Morant suspension

Ja Morant said he was fine in the NBA's Western Conference last season, and the Memphis Grizzlies mostly were in securing a No. 2 seed for the playoffs.

But that No. 2 seed still yielded an early exit from the postseason, as the Grizzlies fell in six games to the L.A. Lakers.

Since then, Morant has been suspended 25 games after a viral video showed him flashing a firearm-like object. And NBA free agency changed the landscape in the West even more for a few teams.

Here's how free agency changed the Western Conference this offseason:

Los Angeles Lakers

Favoring guard depth, the Lakers reached deals to re-sign Austin Reaves and D’Angelo Russell, while also adding Gabe Vincent from the Miami Heat.

Vincent, a four-year college player from UC Santa Barbara, was one of the seven undrafted players on the Heat roster that reached the NBA Finals and made a huge impact as the starting guard. Vincent brings Finals experience, as well as shot-making and playmaking abilities off the bench. Vincent averaged 12.7 points in the Heat playoff run.

No doubt, the Lakers made an upgrade, and with the Grizzlies short on guards after Tyus Jones’ departure and the 25-game suspension for Ja Morant, the Lakers backcourt could serve some problems down the road.

Phoenix Suns

In a classic case of the rich getting richer, the Suns — which earned the West's No. 1 playoff seed last season — traded in the rest of their chips to add Bradley Beal and create the latest NBA superteam. Beal will join Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton on the loaded roster.

One would think with all of those max contracts, the Suns would have a hard time navigating their roster needs. However, they did the opposite and also signed key players such as Eric Gordon and Yuta Watanabe, while still re-signing players like Damion Lee.

Watanabe, in particular, was a key addition for the Suns, as he shot lights out in the 2023 NBA season from deep. The Suns struggled to find contribution from their role players during the playoffs. As teams doubled Durant and Booker, the role players couldn’t hit open shots consistently.

Now, the Suns just added a 44% 3-point sharpshooter to their bench, making them even harder to defend.

Dallas Mavericks

As controversial as Kyrie Irving can be, his value as a point guard and one of the league’s premier shot-makers is undeniable.

The eight-time all-star reportedly had been linked to the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Lakers. But Irving stayed put in Dallas, signing a three-year, $126 million contract, according to The Athletic.

The Mavericks now can pair one of the league's most clutch players with superstar Luka Doncic. While the sample size was small last season — Irving played in 20 games for the Mavs — the duo could make noise in the tougher Western Conference.

What's more, Dallas reportedly agreed to a sign-and-trade deal with the Celtics for former Tennessee star Grant Williams, who is set for a four-year, $53 million contract, according to ESPN.

What's it mean for Memphis Grizzlies?

The Grizzlies will have their work cut out for them while Morant serves his suspension, as their early positioning in the West could be determined by how the schedule falls during the all-star point guard's absence.

Adding Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics should help in offsetting Morant's production in the meantime, and a healthier roster (particularly Steven Adams, Brandon Clarke and Desmond Bane) should allow Memphis to contend toward the top half of the playoff picture with Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the way.

Don't bet on Memphis being a serious player for the West's top seed, but it's fine to expect Memphis to be fine in the West — even amid some early season turbulence.

Reach sports writer Jerry Jiang at JJiang@gannett.com or on Twitter @j_jiang30

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How Ja Morant suspension impacts Memphis Grizzlies' standing in West