NBA Free Agents 2011: 5 Players Memphis Grizzlies Should Target After Lockout

The Memphis Grizzlies were one win away from making it to the Western Conference Finals, and this season (if there is one), they're looking to build on that success.

The Grizzlies don't have any glaring weaknesses, but they could definitely improve via free agency, acquiring players that won't demand a lot of money.

Continue reading to find out five players the Memphis Grizzlies could afford to add, in order to take their next step.  

Shannon Brown

Since it is unlikely that the Memphis Grizzlies will be able to extend O.J. Mayo for the type of money he's going to be looking for, the Memphis Grizzlies could use a scoring shooting guard to come off the bench for them. 

Brown has been able to do that in his NBA career and would be a nice addition to the Lakers. Brown averaged 8.7 points per game last season in just 19 minutes per game. With an increased role in Memphis, he can definitely put up double digits and be a spark off the bench. 

Brown most likely wouldn't cost the team much, and, depending on what the NBA does this offseason, he could be a great pickup with the MLE. 

J.J. Barea

J.J. Barea was one of the most surprising players in this year's playoffs, and he was a major part of the Mavericks' championship. 

Barea will probably get a maximum MLE contract once the offseason starts, and he should definitely be a target for the Grizzlies. Although he's small, he could provide the scoring punch the Grizzlies need from their second unit.

If he played next to Greivis Vasquez off the bench, Vasquez could guard shooting guards and allow Barea to guard point guards. 

Barea was a pick and roll nightmare for almost every team in the playoffs, and bringing that to Memphis would be huge for the team. 

Kwame Brown

Kwame Brown has a reputation for being an awful player because he has not lived up to the expectations of a No. 1 pick, but Kwame is now a good role player in this league. 

The Grizzlies could use a backup for Marc Gasol and, although Grizzlies fans probably don't have good memories from when Kwame was in town, he could be a nice addition for the team. 

Brown averaged just about eight points, seven rebounds and a block per game in 27 minutes. He is a good defensive player and rebounder who could help Marc Gasol get some additional rest throughout the regular season.  

Joel Przybilla

Przybilla is another player who could be a cheap option as a backup center for the Grizzlies. Blazers fans were very upset when Przybilla was traded to the Bobcats in the Gerald Wallace deal, and that says a lot about the type of player he is. 

Przybilla is a workhorse on the glass and defensive end. He is a perfect complement to both Zach Randolph and Darrell Arthur. 

This is somebody who could really give the Grizzlies an edge in the Western Conference, since they would now have the size to clash with the Lakers and Mavericks. 

Kurt Thomas

The veteran leadership that guys like Shane Battier and Tony Allen brought to the Grizzlies last year is the reason I have this guy on the list. 

Kurt Thomas could be another big body for the Grizzlies, a player with the fire and intensity off the bench that the team would love to have. He's been in the league for what seems like forever and last year helped the Bulls in their playoff run. 

Thomas would only take the veteran's minimum, and that would be a nice addition to a young Memphis team.