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Depth Chart: Memphis Grizzlies’ Current Options at Center

By Christian Dudley

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Feb 5, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Dallas Mavericks power forward Brandan Wright (34) defends Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) at FedExForum. The Mavericks won 110 – 96. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

The Memphis Grizzlies look to be one of the Western Conference’s deepest teams in 2015-16, but how deep is their depth at the center position?

The Memphis Grizzlies are expected to have a team with more depth than they saw this past season (2014-15) after making solid draft selections along with 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 analyzing the center position, the Grizz have just two players that can truly play the five-spot–NBA All-Star Marc Gasol and newcomer Brandan Wright. Both guys are Tennessee natives, which is a plus for Grizz Nation.

Primary Center

The Grizzlies’ biggest success of the offseason thus far was retaining Marc Gasol. He is arguably the best center in the association and the entire world. They are a contender solely because of the prominence and dominance of Big Spain on both ends of the floor.

As the basketball world knows, the Grizz play inside-out. Not only does Memphis have just two centers on their roster, but Marc is the only offensive-minded center that they own.

May 15, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (33) leaves the game in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors in game six of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 108-95. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The second unit desperately needs and offensive lift and the Grizzlies will not be finding it right now at the five. Gasol’s understudy, Brandan Wright, is solely a defenseman and rim-protector. BW has a limited offensive game as it is.

Additionally, Big Spain played in 81 of 82 regular season games this past season (2014-15) after missing some time in the previous year (2013-14) due to injury and appearing in just 59 of 82 matchups. Marc was worn down by the NBA Playoffs back in the springtime and did not have what it took to take down the Golden State Warriors.

After all, MG played 33.2 minutes per game in 2014-15 and has averaged over 33 MPG in all seven of his seasons in the NBA. He needs relief in order for the Grizz to be at their best come postseason time.

Secondary Center

Brandan Wright has been accustomed to playing both center and power forward. He stands at 6’9,” which is a typical height for power forward standards.

Apr 8, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler (6) guards Phoenix Suns forward Brandan Wright (32) during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 107-104. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

With the Memphis Grizzlies’ current roster, they have four to five players–mostly guys with minimal NBA experience if any at all–that are solely power forwards. These guys would not likely play up unless M-Town decided to play “small ball.” On paper, center is the position that Memphis needs to bulk before training camp.

Wright averaged 19.3 minutes per game in 2014-15 and will likely see the same amount of opportunity next season. Could he play starter’s minutes in the event that Big Spain would have to miss time due to injury or illness? It has happened in the past with Gasol and the unexpected is always to be expected in the NBA.

Needing Improvement?

With just two players that can truly play the center position, the Memphis Grizzlies need to look at adding a veteran center for a third-string spot.

Right now, names that the Grizz could choose to add in order to bolster their bench at center most notably include the following free-agents: Ryan Hollins, Brendan Haywood, Henry Sims, and Greg Stiemsma.

All these guys could potentially be had for a veteran’s minimum contract, which Memphis can offer; however, Memphis has 16 players on their roster and the league’s maximum is just 15. A trade to unclog the logjam on the wing to acquire a third-string center and maybe a shooter/scorer would be ideal, but perhaps unrealistic, for the Grizzlies.

Grizz Nation, should Memphis look at to add another center as insurance for Gasol and Wright? 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: Marc Gasol is predicting the rise of an Atlanta Hawks rookie?

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