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Depth Chart: Grizzlies’ Current Options at Small Forward

By Christian Dudley

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Feb 8, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) and forward Jeff Green (32) celebrate at the end of the game as Atlanta Hawks guard Kyle Korver (26) looks on and guard Jeff Teague (0) walks off of the court at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Atlanta 94-88. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies look to be one of the Western Conference’s deepest teams in 205-16, but how advanced is their depth at small forward?

The Memphis Grizzlies are expected to have a team with more depth than they saw this past season (2014-15) after making solid NBA Draft selections along with excellent trades and Free-Agency acquisitions.

Beale Street Bears recently wrote about the Grizzlies’ current depth chart at all five positions. At the moment, Memphis has 16 players on its roster with 15 of them being signed to a contract.

[See: “Memphis Grizzlies’ Current Depth Chart at All Positions“]

When considering the names the Grizz have available to play the small forward position, there is a new face as well as plenty of uncertainty to be found. This position has actually been the least consistent of the five possible slots for Memphis ever since the squad parted ways with Rudy Gay in 2012-13.

In order for Memphis to strengthen their championship hopes, the weight may majorly fall on the shoulders of their options at the three-spot.

Who could the Grizzlies depend upon in 2015-16? Allow us to examine.

Apr 3, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green warms up prior to the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Primary Small Forward

There may not be a single player permanently written into the starting job at small forward for the Grizz in the 2015-16 season. Training camp and preseason should be an excellent measuring stick for how things, such as this issue, will play out by the time Memphis tips off against the Cleveland Cavaliers in regular season game No. 1 of 82 near the end of October.

For now, it is looking as if Jeff Green will win the lead role.

Green had a shaky half-season with the Grizzlies in 2014-15. He could not find consistency in his offense, but he did show Grizz Nation flashes of what could become his norm. He can drill the three-point baskets, plus he can score in a number of ways via lane penetration. He stretches the floor for M-Town and he is a solid scoring threat, even if the jumpers just are not falling for him. A full training camp and preseason should do wonders for JG.

After all, it looked as if Green stepped it up a notch or two in the 2015 NBA Africa Game, where he notched 19 points and a victory with teammate Marc Gasol. This single game should spark some newfound hope in all of Grizz Nation for Jeff Green.

Although Jeff can play up at the power forward spot, he could be the key to success for Memphis is he can produce consistently as a small forward. Assuming he will bounce back to form that he displayed in Boston and even Oklahoma City, JG and the Grizzlies should be ready to have their best season yet.

Secondary Small Forward

Memphis snagged a steal of a deal this summer when they landed Matt Barnes in a transaction with the Charlotte Hornets.

May 6, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Matt Barnes (22) reacts after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Houston Rockets in game two of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Clippers 115-109 to tie the series at 1-1. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Not only did they make their team tougher, but they added another guy that can give them a few additional buckets. For a guy that will most likely be sparking the Grizzlies’ bench play all of next season, they could have no better fit than Barnes and the true grit he brings to the team.

Matt is an underrated offensive option for Memphis. He will attack the paint and can nail spot-up jumpers along the perimeter. He will need to keep his offense consistent–especially when games matter the most–for Grizz Nation to become enamored with the former Los Angeles Clipper.

If Jeff Green cannot find his rhythm, Barnes is a very qualified player to assume a starting role on the team. He could even play a few minutes at shooting guard if necessary.

Barnes will be yet another enforcer on the Memphis Grizzlies’ loaded roster. Will this addition be that final piece to the Grizzlies’ championship recipe they are formulating?

Stopgap Options at Small Forward

The Memphis Grizzlies’ leading defenseman, Tony Allen, saw an increase in minutes at the small forward position in 2014-15. He even overtook Jeff Green’s starting spot at the three once Green was acquired by Memphis via trade.

Allen was able to provide the defense–of course–but he was not the scoring option that the team needed–especially with Green struggling mightily when it came to putting points on the scoreboard.

Will Jeff Green finally get settled into the offense? He really needs to do just that if the Grizz want to reach the Western Conference Finals–and further. Allen is primarily a shooting guard, but can defend nearly any elite scorer because his defensive ability is incredible to say the least.

Another possible name for a decent amount of minutes at small forward would be that of Vince Carter. VC is definitely not getting any younger–quite like Zach Randolph–and may required additional spurts of rests throughout the regular season. How well will Vinsanity hold up in 2015-16? This will be a common question on nearly a weekly basis next season.

Mar 9, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) goes up for a shot during the game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports

Vince also faces a similar predicament to that of Jeff Green. Will Carter become one with the Grizzlies’ offense? Will his three-point shot begin to fall at a much more respectable rate?

The Grizz need scoring and shooting desperately. Rather than throwing more cash around this offseason, it is probably best for the club to look at the guys they already have–such as Green, Carter, and others–and hope for improvement when it comes to long-range shooting and scoring a higher quantity of points per game.

For another name for the Memphis Grizzlies to consider to throw into the mix at the three, they could possibly look toward JaMychal Green, assuming the franchise retains his rights into the regular season.

JaMyke is a “tweener” at the forward positions, but he showed enough promise in minimal minutes thus far into his NBA career to warrant some burn. He can hold his own at the three and the four depending on matchups. He may not be the outside threat the Grizz need, but he belongs in the NBA and on Memphis’ roster. It may be worth keeping JaMychal on the team for cheap–yet effective–insurance in case of an injury-plagued season for the Grizzlies.

Grizz Nation, which player do you want to see starting at small forward to begin the season? Which player do you believe will fall out of the rotation? Let us know your thoughts!

Continue to check Beale Street Bears for the latest news, rumors, and other info of the offseason regarding your Memphis Grizzlies!

Go Grizz!

Next: How is the power forward position looking for the Memphis Grizzlies?

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