Grizzlies Position Preview: Wings

1. Kyle Anderson

Arguably the most versatile wing on the roster, Kyle Anderson will serve as one of the Grizzlies’ veteran players throughout the season. Despite his notorious “SlowMo” playstyle, Anderson provides the team with a smart, crafty game. He spent his first three seasons with the Spurs, and brings a high IQ to the team which he can pass along to the young players around him.

Anderson understands how to effectively use his pace to create on offense, which will help the Grizzlies in the half-court. A comfortable ball-handler, Anderson will help alleviate defensive pressure on the Grizzlies’ point guards while he is on the court. Having him initiate the offense will allow for a wider variety of sets the team can run.

At 6’9″ with a 7’3″ wingspan, Anderson causes problems for opponents on defense as well. By using that length, Anderson makes up for his lack of speed, altering shots and racking up deflections. In the 2017-18 season, he was top 25 in deflections per NBA.com. His size gives him the ability to defend across numerous positions, which will be key as the Grizzlies experiment with their lineups this season. Anderson is the likely starter at the 3, but will also see minutes at the 4.

Key improvements for Anderson are shooting and rebounding. A career 32% three-point shooter, a 2-4 percent jump in that category would go a long way for this team. It wouldn’t hurt for him to increase his attempts per game, either.