Memphis Grizzlies: Who’s going to start at Power Forward?

After losing Zach Randolph, the Memphis Grizzlies are in a tricky situation. They don’t have a starting power forward for opening night.

At the moment, the Memphis Grizzlies are close to having an established starting five. Obviously, Conley and Gasol are in there. With Tyreke Evans likely coming off the bench, Ben McLemore – or Summer League standout Wayne Selden – will man the 2-guard. Chandler Parsons will hopefully be healthy and back in the starting lineup. However, there’s a glaring hole at the power forward position.

Long-time starting power forward Zach Randolph is on his way to Sacramento. Then, the Grizzlies still need to re-sign last year’s starter JaMychal Green. According to the Commercial Appeal’s Ron Tillery, the negotiations aren’t pretty:

"Green’s agent, Michael Hodges, said he hasn’t talked to Memphis about contract parameters since free agency began.“I’m looking at two offer sheets and two sign-and-trade (scenarios),” Hodges said. “Seems to us Memphis is going in a different direction.”"

Unless they have other plans, the Memphis Grizzlies have to re-sign JaMychal Green. They don’t have any suitable replacements on the team. Brandan Wright is more of a 5 than a 4. Jarell Martin and Ivan Rabb are nowhere near ready to start on a playoff team.

With this glaring hole in the starting lineup, does JaMychal Green return? Do they look for an internal solution? Or do they turn to the free agency market?

Free Agency Market

Let’s start with the most fun ones first.

If things are actually rocky with Green’s agent and the Grizzlies, JaMychal probably won’t be back – even with him being a restricted free agent. If he doesn’t return, there are still a few decent options out there.

The most intriguing free agent on the market is Nikola Mirotic. The sharpshooting big man has shot 35 percent from downtown for his career, averaging 10.8 points. His rebounding numbers aren’t up to bar (5.3 career average), but his shooting stroke could be a major key in Fizdale’s pace-and-space offense.

Two other possibilities are Derrick Williams and Michael Beasley. Both player are former number two picks who haven’t lived up to the hype. However, both would serve a purpose on the Grizzlies.

Williams doesn’t score well or rebound like a big man, but he can run the floor. In addition, he has the athletic ability to guard multiple positions like Green.

Beasley wouldn’t be a bad option by any means. He can score in bunches and plays underrated defense (career averages of 0.6 and 0.5 steals). He’s played under Fizdale and could flourish under the former Miami Heat assistant.

Internal Solutions

Obviously, Jarell Martin and Ivan Rabb aren’t ready for starter’s minutes. Martin has flashed inconsistency in the Summer League, which isn’t a good sign for a third-year player. Then, no one even knows what Rabb is capable of since he hasn’t even played in a Summer League game.

If the Grizzlies do choose to move on from Green and want to look internal, their best solution is sliding Parsons to the 4. During the 2015-16 season in Dallas, Parsons played nearly 600 minutes (33.4 percent of his playing time) at the power forward position. As a stretch-4, he averaged 21.8 points, seven rebounds and 2.8 assists per 36 minutes. In addition, he had a 65.5 true shooting percentage.

As his athleticism and speed decline, moving Parsons to the 4 might be a good move going forward. This would also create more space in the offense, something that has harmed the Grizzlies in the past half-decade.

It’s Best to Go Green

If Memphis wants a good shot at making the playoffs next season, JaMychal Green has to be the starting power forward. He’s the best available option in the market right now. He can defend multiple positions, stretch the floor and work on the glass.

Green also doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be efficient. Some of the more enticing free agents have to score the basketball to be a positive on court. With guys like Conley and Gasol on the team, they need a low-usage guy like Green to do the dirty work.

Next: 5 Biggest Free Agent Signings in Franchise History

Hopefully they can work something out; if not, they’ll be in trouble.