As the season approaches, the bottom feeders are looking forward to the off-season and next year.

Ron Tillery talks about Memphis' biggest need, which is to improve their bench. Perhaps he isn't aware that improving the bench was one of Dick Versace's first priorities when the silver-tongued one took over responsibility for the team two years ago.

Tillery says the Grizz are okay at the one and four positions with Brevin Knight and Stromile Swift coming off the bench. But after that the drop-off is steep. They'll probably try to continue developing Greek 21 year old Antonis Fotsis. Youngsters Rodney Buford, Will Solomon and Eddie Gill might return at minimum salaries, but aren't expected to contribute much.

A likely top-five pick, and possibly the number 14 or 15 pick (from Toronto through Houston), gives them the opportunity to move to four decent players coming off the bench.

But the team is likely to be over next season's luxury tax limit. That means questioning whether Nick Anderson returns next season. Most likely, the team will try to negotiate a retirement buyout for a player who has averaged less than 200 minutes each of the past two years for his $6 million per season.

Via Memphis Commercial Appeal

Memphis Grizzlies

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