3 potential Memphis Grizzlies starting lineups without Dillon Brooks

The Memphis Grizzlies could go with a relatively small lineup, using two shooting guards and zero small forwards

I wouldn’t have ordinarily thought that this would be a contending option for the Grizzlies’ starting lineup. That said, this was the first rotation that the Grizzlies ran when preseason basketball began — and it worked brilliantly. Here’s what it looks like.

• Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, De’Anthony Melton, Jaren Jackson Jr., Steven Adams

The surprising part about this starting five is the use of both Desmond Bane and De’Anthony Melton, which is something that we rarely saw throughout the course of the 2020-21 season. That said, both have their strengths, and perhaps Melton’s high defensive ceiling is what allows him to stretch toward the three spot.

This lineup is as good as Memphis is going to get in terms of three-point shooting. They’ll have Bane, who is clearly the best long-range shooter on the team, Jackson, who is a capable distance shooter at 37% in his career, and Melton, who exploded for over 40% from the three-point line last year.

When it comes to starting lineup options, this is as good as the Grizzlies will get in terms of shooting. That said, there could be certain mismatches, especially against teams that play big in the backcourt.