The Memphis Grizzlies have finished the last two seasons with the second seed in the Western Conference and made changes this offseason. Here is their projected lineup for next season.
The Memphis Grizzlies' fortunes changed the moment they drafted Ja Morant. In his first two seasons, the Grizzlies would make the play-in and would make the playoffs as the eighth seed in 2021. Then for the last two seasons, the Grizzlies finished as the second seed both times with a record of 56-26 in 2022 and a record of 51-31 this past season.
This team was full of exciting young players who liked to talk a lot of trash even though they never really accomplished anything. This past season, the Grizzlies dealt with a bunch of different issues that would lead them to lose in the first round of the playoffs to the seventh-seed Los Angeles Lakers.
In the offseason, the Grizzlies made some major changes to their lineup. The biggest changes came from adding veteran leadership to this young but still very inexperienced team. Here is their projected lineup for the 2023-24 season.
Memphis Grizzlies starting point guard: Ja Morant
Despite all of the off-the-court issues that Ja Morant has suffered over the last year, he is still one of the best players in the game. Last season, Morant averaged 26.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 8.1 assists, and 1.1 steals on 47/31/75 shooting splits.
Morant's on-the-court presence is crucial for the success of the Grizzlies because his ability to score in the paint at will and elite playmaking ability allows everyone else on the team to succeed. He is hard to double when he's in the paint because he is surrounded by some of the best shooters in the game.
Morant's lack of immaturity will have an impact on this team to start the season. After having multiple incidents over the last year involving guns, Morant has been suspended for the first 25 games this season. The Grizzlies have been successful when Morant hasn't been in the lineup but there is a chance his missing this time will largely impact the Grizzlies for the remainder of the season.
If Morant can learn from his mistakes and heal over these incidents, he will provide a great kick for this team when he is able to be the full-time starting point guard when he returns from his suspension.
Grizzlies primary backup point guard: Marcus Smart
The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year is one of the newest additions to this Grizzlies team, replacing Tyus Jones as the backup point guard. Last season for the Celtics, Marcus Smart averaged 11.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 1.5 steals on 42/34/75 shooting split, starting every game.
Smart will be the starting point guard during Morant's suspension and he is more than serviceable as the starting point guard. Even though his scoring is inefficient at times, Smart is still a solid playmaker and phenomenal defender.
Smart is giving the Grizzlies Defensive Player of the Year caliber defense, solid playmaking, and great leadership. Smart was known for having leadership ability which this Memphis team desperately needs.
When Morant is able to be back in the starting lineup, Smart will be one of the best backup guards in the league. Smart will have a huge impact on this team on and off the court.
Others who could receive minutes: Derrick Rose
While Morant is suspended Derrick Rose will act as the backup point guard for the Grizzlies. Last season with the Knicks, Rose was benched the moment Tom Thibodeau went to the nine-man rotation but in his 27 games, he averaged 5.6 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 38/30/91 splits.
As Rose gets older and when Morant comes back, Rose's minutes will decrease and he will serve the role of being a veteran leader. With all of the Grizzlies off-the-court issues last season Rose is as perfect for this as he was with the Knicks last season. Rose's play style from his prime is shockingly similar to Morant's. He should be a great role model to Morant as well.
Memphis Grizzlies starting shooting guard: Desmond Bane
Desmond Bane went from being the last pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft to receiving a five-year, $207 million extension after his first three seasons with the Grizzlies. Last season Bane averaged 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists, (all career highs) on 48/41/88 splits.
As the second-best offensive player on this team, Bane is the perfect shooting guard to have alongside Ja Morant and Marcus Smart when he's starting. Bane has one of the highest three-point shooting percentages of all time, which more than makes up for Morant and Smart's inconsistent shooting.
On top of his great three-point shooting ability, Bane's playmaking ability has gotten better year after year. He can momentarily take over the playmaking responsibility for this team. The more Bane has played, he has become better at scoring at the basket which will allow him to get easy buckets on fast break opportunities and back door cuts.
Bane stands at 6-foot-5 and has a fairly sturdy build. He is a pretty solid defender. His defensive ability allows him to complement the Grizzlies' point guards perfectly.
Grizzlies primary backup shooting guard: Luke Kennard
Last season the Grizzlies received Luke Kennard in a three-team trade with the Rockets and Clippers where they only gave up a second round pick. That was an absolute steal because in his 24 games with the Grizzlies Kennard averaged 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 53/54/95 splits.
For the last two seasons Kennard has led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage and has the fifth-highest three-point shooting percentage in NBA history. His career three-point shooting in the playoffs is no joke either as he shootings 46 percent from three in the postseason.
Kennards elite ability to take and make a high percentage of his three-point shots makes him the prototypical role player in today's NBA while also being a serviceable defender. Having him more than makes up for the lack of three-point shooting they have at other spots on the court.
Others who could receive minutes: Marcus Smart and Josh Christopher
Josh Christopher is still a very young player but there is a possibility he is able to earn some minutes.. It is very easy to say that if everyone in the lineup stays healthy that he won't receive many minutes. In the absence of Morant, the guard rotation will be available to anyone who plays well enough to earn a spot.
Even if he can't earn minutes as a shooting guard, the Grizzlies do lack depth at their small forward spot and he is big enough to play as a small forward for this team.
Memphis Grizzlies starting small forward: John Konchar
After refusing to sign Dillion Brooks this offseason the Grizzlies' small forward position is one of the biggest question marks for this team. They have four options but they will most likely go with their most seasoned forward: John Konchar.
Last season Konchar played in 72 games, started 23, and averaged 5.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals on 43/34/79 shooting splits in 20.8 minutes per game. Hopefully, with an increased role on the team, Konchar gets his opportunity to play consistent minutes to show what he is made of. He is a solid three-point shooter, shooting 37 percent for his career. He is a very good defender.
Konchar has been a part of the new grit and grind Grizzlies for the last four seasons and knows the system very well. Even if he doesn't pan out, the Grizzlies will rotate through that spot to see who fits best in the starting lineup.
Grizzlies primary backup small forward: Ziaire Williams
Zaire Williams was the 10th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft and with the Grizzlies so far he hasn't gotten the opportunity to showcase his talent. Last season Williams was dealing with an injury so in the 37 games he played in he averaged 5.7 points, 2.1 rebounds on 43/26/77 splits.
After getting a chance to fully heal and with the small forward position being wide open, it is more than possible for Williams to see important minutes. Unless he plays extremely well in training camp, he will more than likely start the season coming off the bench. If he works hard and plays well there is a chance he could enter the starting lineup for this team and be a key piece in their success this season.
Others who could receive minutes: David Roddy
Last season David Roddy played in 70 games for the Grizzlies and averaged 6.7 points and 2.8 rebounds on 43/31/63 shooting splits. With the small forward position being extremely wide open it is more than reasonable that Roddy can earn some minutes. Being 6-foot-6 and weighing 255 pounds, Roddy provides a unique physicality to this team.
Memphis Grizzlies starting power forward: Jaren Jackson Jr.
It shouldn't be a shock to anyone that Jaren Jackson Jr. may be the most important piece to this Grizzlies team. Last season he had a career year where he averaged 18.6 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.0 steals, a league-best 3.0 blocks on 51/36/79 splits. He was selected to his first All-Star team and was named the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year.
Jackson is the most important piece to this team because he is the best rim protector in basketball. He has led the league in blocks the last two seasons. When he doesn't play the Grizzlies have been 13-10 over the last two seasons.
Jackson provides great two-way ability and sets the defensive tone for this team. Whenever an opposing player is in the paint they have to worry about Jackson coming out of nowhere and blocking the shot.
There are a few flaws Jackson has experienced over his career, the first is fouling. Since he tries to block every shot, he commits around four fouls per game for his career. The second flaw is that he has an injury history. Even with all that Jackson is crucial to the Grizzlies becoming a future championship team.
Grizzlies primary backup power forward: Santi Aldama
The Grizzlies backup power forward for the last four seasons has primarily been Brandon Clarke but after suffering an achilles tear back in March, it is possible he'll miss the entire season. This leaves the Grizzlies with no other choice than to have Santi Aldama be the backup power forward.
Last season Aldama had a very successful sophomore year averaging 9.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists on 47/35/75 splits. In the playoffs, he played just as well, averaging 6.5 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 46/47/100 splits.
Standing at 6-foot-11 Aldama's ability to shoot the three is very impressive and important. The versatility he provides allows the Grizzlies to play with many different options that include him sharing the court with Jackson, Steven Adams and Xavier Tillman.
Others who could receive minutes: Brandon Clarke, Kenneth Lofton Jr., Xavier Tillman, David Roddy
If Brandon Clarke is hurt the whole season then it is more than likely Kenneth Lofton Jr. will be the third-string power forward. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 275 pounds Lofton is simply too small to be a center and too big to be a small forward. Even with his advanced size, Lofton shot 35 percent from three last season. Chances are if everyone is healthy and if Brandon Clarke is able to play, he won't play that much.
Memphis Grizzlies starting center: Steven Adams
Steven Adams is one of the strongest and most physically intimidating players in the league and is the enforcer of this team. Last season, he averaged 8.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.1 blocks on 60 percent shooting from the floor.
Adams played in half the season and missed the Grizzlies last 36 games as well as the six games in the playoffs against the Lakers. The Grizzlies missed his presence in the lineup for a few reasons, the first being Adams is one of the best offensive rebounders in the game. He averaged 5.1 offensive rebounds per game last season. Those second-chance opportunities always help a team win a game if they can win that by a big margin.
The second reason is that he helps aid Jaren Jackson Jr. on the defensive end. Adams and Jackson may be one of, if not the most, intimidating defensive big men duo in the league. With Jackson's shot blocking ability and Adams' strength and physicality, players think twice about coming into the paint.
With Adams being back in the lineup, his presence alone will help fuel the Grizzlies but also he has a killer mindset. He can help lead this team to be a huge threat in the west.
Grizzlies primary backup center: Xavier Tillman
In the absence of Adams last season, Xavier Tillman was the starting center but he will now resume his role as the backup center. Last season, Tillman averaged 7.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 steals on 61/27/55 shooting splits.
Tillman's role won't be that massive as long as Adams and Jackson stay healthy. He will primarily be used to play in the pick-and-roll, grab rebounds and defend the rim. Tillman does all of those at an extremely high level. If Adams or Jackson get hurt, his role would increases again. He is fully prepared for it and the Grizzlies can get by with him as a starting center.
Others who could receive minutes: Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke