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Memphis Grizzlies: How to Address the Small Forward Surplus

By Jack Donlon

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 5: Kyle Anderson #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on November 5, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 5: Kyle Anderson #1 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Golden State Warriors on November 5, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Guys Who Can Play Shooting Guard

C.J. Miles was once regarded as one of the better pure shooters in the league. Miles averaged 9.3 points off the bench (36% from three) in 13 games for the Grizzlies last season before a stress fracture in his foot caused an early end to his season. Miles can slide into the shooting guard position fairly easily, so he is not quite as logjammed as some of these other small forwards are. Assuming he is healthy, Miles is still young enough (31) to help space the floor, and he is quick enough that he is not an absolute liability on defense.

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Dillon Brooks is listed at small forward, but expect him to take the court for the Grizzlies as a shooting guard this season. Brooks’ injury-plagued sophomore season came to an early end, but he has been productive in a Grizzlies jersey. In his two seasons since joining the league, Brooks has averaged 10.3 points per game and shot 36% from three-point range. If he is healthy, he is who I would expect to see starting at shooting guard for the Grizzlies on opening night. If he is not healthy, he may be a casualty of a roster crunch that has already sent Korver and Parsons away from the organization for good.

Note: Josh Jackson can play shooting guard as well, and he may be a better fit there for Memphis, given the plethora of competent small forwards currently on the Grizzlies’ roster.

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