Link had already begun preparing for the Grizzlies' road to revival.
If they wanted to wipe away their humiliation, making some changes to the roster was indispensable.
In truth, as the Grizzlies' four "cubs" gradually matured, the team did not really have any major weaknesses in its lineup.
There were three reasons the Grizzlies' golden era had been ended by the Warriors last season.
First, Conley and Gasol being ruled out for the season had dealt the Grizzlies a devastating blow.
If Link had never existed in this timeline, then Conley and Gasol would have been the pillars and faces of the Grizzlies. Last season, the Grizzlies had effectively lost their two franchise stars, like the Thunder losing both Westbrook and Durant at the same time back then.
The impact of their absence on the Grizzlies' strength went without saying.
Second was the aging roster. Randolph, Carter, Tony Allen, and Iguodala were still good players, but they could no longer carry such heavy burdens. They could do their jobs well in the rotation, but suitable starters had to step up and take their place.
Third, the four "cubs" had not yet fully matured.
Last season, Harrell had still been a hotheaded rookie averaging just 3.6 points and 1.7 rebounds per game.
Dinwiddie averaged 7.3 points, with an 18.5% three-point percentage...
Josh Richardson and Jokic had performed fairly well, but they had only put up 10.2 and 10.0 points respectively.
It could be said that no one besides the Grizzlies themselves saw them as treasures. They were just a bunch of second-round picks and late first-round rookies. No one cared about them.
But in the new season, Link believed those four young men could unleash even greater power.
Link knew their potential. With playing time, the correct "instruction manual," and specialized