How Have The Grizzlies Done So Far This Summer In Free Agency & The Draft?

The Grizzlies have done a great job thus far during their first offseason under new owner Robert Pera, making the moves seemingly necessary to continue on their track towards their first NBA championship.

In their first order of business, the team re-signed guard Tony Allen to a four-year, $20 million deal that will keep the originator of the Grizzlies "grit and grind" defensive style in a Memphis uniform for the foreseeable future, something that will excite many Grizzlies fans as Allen has grown into a team favorite amongst local fans since arriving here three years ago.

The team also decided to bring back Jon Leuer, liking him enough after acquiring him midseason in  a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers to sign him to a three-year, $3 million deal. He likely won't be a major contributor moving forward, however, he will be able to provide solid minutes off the bench when needed.

In the 2013 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies might have had one of the best nights of any team in the league, all without even having a first round pick. After trying to find a deal to move into the late part of the first round and failing, Memphis rolled the dice and hoped their guy would still be there for their 42st pick.

Luckily, the team hit the jackpot, drafting combo guard Jamaal Franklin out of San Diego State and landing the same player they were trying to move into the first round to acquire. The 6'5 Franklin played three seasons at San Diego State, averaging 16.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.6 blocks this past season.

Although I didn't see many (if any) San Diego State games this past season, I've heard Franklin plays with the same defensive ferocity of Tony Allen and he apparently has a decent jump shot, averaging 43% during his three college seasons. He also shot 78% from the free throw line, something that could be improved upon, but isn't terrible by any stretch either. If Franklin lives up to expectations, he could be one of the pieces to take us to the next level.

Instead of drafting someone with the 55th pick in the draft, the Grizzlies packaged the pick with forward Darrell Arthur and sent them to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for center Kosta Koufos. Koufos started for the Nuggets last season ahead of JaVale McGee and averaged 8.0 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game with a PER of 17.22 for the season.

He will provide a clear upgrade in the front court and finally give Memphis a reliable big man to come off the bench behind Marc Gasol. And by moving Arthur, the Grizzlies freed up more playing time for promising young power forward Ed Davis, who played extremely well in stretches last season after being acquired from Toronto and should be a major contributor to our roster this season.

The Grizzlies also took Janis Timma with the 60th and final pick of the draft, however, he will likely remain overseas for at least another season or two, if he ever ends up making the leap to the NBA at all.

The team is still reportedly talking with several free agents, with Travis Outlaw's name being one of the most commonly mentioned. If the Grizzlies are able to add someone like Outlaw who is able to stretch the floor on a consistent basis and keep teams from loading the paint on defense, it could be the move that truly makes Memphis a title contender.