Memphis Grizzlies: 5 big questions for the 2020-21 season

4. Can the Grizzlies space the floor?

The Grizzlies’ seemingly eternal quest for 3-point mediocrity is again a focal point for them coming into 2020-21.

Despite its stark transition away from Grit-N-Grind’s style, Memphis remained fairly innocuous from beyond the arc: 26th in 3-point rate, and 23rd in 3-point percentage.

While the raw stats are far from encouraging, several signs suggest incoming improvement:

First is the absence of the mercurial Jae Crowder. The soon-to-be playoff stud shot a rancid .293 on six three-ball attempts per game with Memphis.

Second is the obvious emergence of Jaren Jackson Jr, who connected on over 39 percent of his threes (6.5 per game) and seemed to grow more confident as the season progressed.

Kyle Anderson also steadily evolved from shooting .125 on 0.72 long-range attempts per game in December, to .350 on 2.9 in the bubble. Meanwhile, Grayson Allen made a large-enough leap that even a likely regression leaves him as an above-average shooter.

To boot, between the acquisition of rookie Desmond Bane, and the re-upping of John Konchar, the Grizzlies seem intent on bolstering their shooting with the roster’s fringe spots.

With Crowder no longer puking up high-volume bricks, it’s safe to say Memphis, even by committee, can raise the tide. Jackson is a borderline-elite shooter, and the options around him are improving.

If Ja Morant’s stroke and Dillon Brooks’ shot selection can also tighten up, it’s not hard to envision Memphis making a slight leap statistically.

Morant is most comfortable slashing into the paint and breaking down defenses from within, so honest spacing will be critical to Memphis’ attack as the team evolves.