Grizzlies can't afford to mess this up

The Finals are officially in the books, and so is the 2013-14 season. But if you thought the NBA would quietly fade away into the summer night, think again. Their highly anticipated off season is rapidly approaching, and the "who's going where" rumors are flying around like mosquitoes at a barbecue.

The Heat's Big 3, New York's Carmelo Anthony, and Minnesota's Kevin Love have dominated the headlines the past week. But down in Bluff City, another decision has to be made...and the Grizzlies can't afford to mess this up.

Because if they do...all hell is gonna break out in Memphis.

Zach "Z-Bo" Randolph can opt out of the final year of his deal (worth 16.5 mil) on June 30th, and it would behoove the Grizzlies organization to make sure that he not only stays in Memphis...but finishes his career there.

For several reasons....

For starters, the obvious on court production. Z-Bo is one of the best power forwards in the league today, and still has two to three highly productive years left in him. If you throw out the 2012 season where he missed 54 games with a knee injury, Randolph has averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies. He also shows up in the post season, averaging 19 and 10 in all of the franchise's playoff victories. Other teams know this as well...so there will be no shortage of pursuers if he decides to test the free agent market. A player of Randolph's skill and experience could put a potential contender over the top.

Off the court, failing to secure Z-Bo's services beyond this season would be a public relations nightmare in Memphis...and the fallout could reach catastrophic proportions.

Prior to Randolph's arrival in 2009, the city of Memphis had....well let's just they didn't have the best image....as a team or a city. Often characterized by their flaws, the most a non Tennessean could say about Memphis was...

"Oh yea...that dangerous blues city that's always on First 48".

But Z-Bo didn't see it that way. As soon as he touched down in the Bluff City there was a connection....a love at first sight if you will. Randolph embraced the beauty and charm of the blue collar town...and would publicly praise the "tough image" the city was known for. He saw a lot of himself in Memphis...as his professional reputation was in need of it's own makeover.

Randolph, through his actions on and off the court, told the world that..."We are Memphis...We don't Bluff...and if you play us...be prepared for a fight!" He literally flipped the city's perception of the team, and to a larger degree, of themselves. Grit & Grind is now the first thing casual fans think about when they think of Memphis. Locals love the new identity, and they wear it with pride. National television is not just chronicling murder mysteries there anymore, they're broadcasting live from the Western Conference Finals...and they have Z-Bo to thank. That's why he's the face of the franchise. This isn't just some free agent....there is a bigger picture at play.

Randolph himself has stated from the start that he loves the city, and would love to retire in Memphis. I genuinely believe him. So if this thing goes awry, then the Grizzlies have no one to blame but themselves when fans stay away in droves. Current owner Robert Pera was not there when Grizzlies home games looked like a scene out of the movie Semi Pro. You could literally hear sneakers squeaking from the upper level prior to Randolph's arrival in 09.

Also at steak is the ability to attract quality free agents. If a small market team wishes to stay competitive in the NBA, then they must retain their star players. San Antonio and OKC have done a great job of that, and are reaping success. Minnesota, for whatever reason, can't. (Stephon Marbury, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love). They also haven't made the playoffs since....since....

You get my point.

Free agents will stay away from teams that seem unwilling to retain it's stars. In today's NBA, the best players are all taking less in an attempt to latch on with a winner. A Z-Bo-less Memphis makes for an unattractive destination. And you (Pera) still have Marc Gasol's contract to address at some point this season. Gasol and Randolph are not only the best power forward / center combo in the league, they are also close friends. Good luck with your sales pitch to Gasol if Z-Bo walks.

Randolph wants to stay, and Memphis has the wherewithal to make it happen while staying competitive. A no brainier right?

Then again...we are talking about the Grizzlies front office.          follow @plcolter