The Grizzlies have 2 restricted free agents and 3 unrestricted free agents heading into this summer. The Grizzlies should match any offer made to Rudy Gay who is one of the restricted free agents this summer. He has really developed into a solid player in Memphis and it would be a shame to watch some other team steal him away. Ronnie Brewer is the other restricted free agent on the Grizzlies and they would like to bring him back too as they traded a first round pick for him near the trade deadline. Steven Hunter, Jamaal Tinsley and Marcus Williams are the unrestricted free agents for the Grizzlies and I don’t see any reason for them to bring any one of these three guys back.

The Grizzlies were very happy with 28-year old power forward Zach Randolph in his first year with the team. Randolph played in 81 games (all starts) for the Grizzlies last season and he averaged 37.7 minutes, 20.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Randolph teamed with Marc Gasol to give the Grizzlies a very solid and powerful tandem in the paint. Randolph has now played in 587 games (460 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 31.1 minutes, 17.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. Randolph came to the Grizzlies with the reputation of having a bad attitude but he appeared happy and motivated in Memphis almost helping them make the playoffs.

The Grizzlies have signed head coach Lionel Hollins to a new three year deal. Hollins led the Grizzlies to a 40-42 (.488) record last season. In four years with the Grizzlies (including 1 in Vancouver), Hollins has compiled a 71-114 record (38.4%). The Grizzlies really improved under Hollins this year so he deserved this contract. If they improve again next season they might make the playoffs.

24-year old small forward Sam Young had the best rookie year from this year’s crop. Young played in 80 games (1 start) for the Grizzlies this season and he averaged 16.5 minutes, 7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. He might develop into a starter down the road for the Grizzlies. 23-year old center Hasheem Thabeet was so bad earlier this season that he was sent to the D-League for a while. He did come back from the minors playing a lot better so maybe his demotion did him some good. Thabeet played in 68 games (13 starts) for the Grizzlies this year and he averaged 13.0 minutes, 3.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 0.2 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game. With Marc Gasol entrenched in the starting lineup for the near future they just hope that Thabeet will be able to give them good defense and rebounding in 15-20 minutes per game for now. 23-year old power forward DeMarre Carroll is in kind of the same boat as Thabeet. He played in 71 games (1 start) for the Grizzlies last season and he averaged 11.2 minutes, 2.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. As long as Carroll gives the Grizzlies decent defense and rebounding off the bench they will be happy. 25-year old shooting guard Lester Hudson came over as a free agent after the Celtics released him. Hudson played in 9 games (0 starts) for the Grizzlies last season and he averaged 6.8 minutes, 4.0 points, 1.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Overall, Hudson played in 25 games (0 starts) for the Grizzlies & Celtics in which he averaged 5.2 minutes, 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds and 0.5 assists per game. He might have a hard time making the team next season.

The Thunder shot 53.2% from the floor last night and that was just too much for the Grizzlies to overcome. Rudy Gay led the way for the Grizzlies last night with 25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Zach Randolph was also outstanding last night for the Grizzlies with 21 points and 11 rebounds. O.J. Mayo (17 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists) and Mike Conley (16 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists) both also had solid game for the Grizzlies last night. The Grizzlies finish the year with a 40-42 record.