Memphis Grizzlies: What’s JaMychal Green’s role going forward?

JaMychal Green hasn’t been sort of lackluster this season. With this team moving towards a new direction, what’s his role with the Memphis Grizzlies?

Since the season started, JaMychal Green hasn’t been what we all expected. After Zach Randolph’s departure, you would think he’d produce more and become a double-double threat every night.

Instead, he’s just been meh at best.

He’s averaging 10 points and 7.4 rebounds — both of which are career-high’s. On paper, you don’t think those numbers are too bad. However, 12 points and nine or 10 rebounds seemed attainable. His 3-point percentage has always taken a dip from last year — 37.9 percent to 34.2.

Don’t get me wrong. This isn’t a “JaMychal Green is bad” column, because that’s not even the case. He’s simply not the player we all drew him out to be. He’s more of a seventh or eighth man off the bench on a good team, rather than a starter on a playoff team.

Last offseason, many people viewed him as an important player to bring back, as he evolved into a 3&D stretch-4. It was also easy to assume he’d thrive away from Zach Randolph. Instead, he’s just thrown under the radar and has been rather lackluster.

Not to mention, Ivan Rabb and Jarell Martin are both younger than the 27-year old Green, and they possess more upside.

What does Green’s future with the Memphis Grizzlies look like? Is he a part of their long-term plans?

Seventh man off the bench

Here’s the easiest solution: let’s just make JaMychal Green what he is: a seventh man off the bench.

It’s the second half of the season. Do some experimenting!

Give Rabb and Martin reps at the starting power forward position. Try letting Brooks play some small-ball 4. Why not?

In the process, prepare Green for the role of the “seventh man” off the bench. Let’s be real, if the Grizzlies want to make the playoffs, it’s where he should be — ideally behind Marvin Bagley or Chandler Parsons.

Green has all the tools to be the perfect hustle man off the bench. He plays good, smart defense. He crashes the glass and can rise up above the rim to dunk on someone’s head. In addition, he can space the floor. He’s just a perfect fit for an energetic bench group — just imagine Kobi Simmons, Selden (or Evans…), a half-decent McLemore(?), Green and Deyonta Davis.

Green can rise up as the leader of the second-unit and supply a nice punch for the Grizzlies.

Trade bait/Buyout candidate

Luckily, the Grizzlies didn’t trap themselves on a long-term deal like they did with some other contracts.

Green’s contract will expire in the summer of 2019, and if he doesn’t fit the long-term view, just move on from him.

With his contract expiring, he’s also prime trade bait or a great mid-season buyout candidate. Any contender would love his hustle, athleticism, defense and 3-point shooting off the bench.

He could also help land some extra assets — particular another player off the bench or a second-round pick.

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Closing Remarks

Don’t get me wrong, JaMychal Green is a solid player, but he’s playing outside of his role and being paid outside of it.

At best, he’s the seventh or eighth man off the bench on a good team, not a vital starter. Maybe next season, he can find himself in that role — whether it’s in Memphis or elsewhere.

Given the awkward fit and the development of Rabb and Martin, it’s hard to see how JaMychal Green falls in the future plans.