3 storylines to watch in the Grizzlies’ season opener vs. Cavaliers

Storyline No. 2: Who will be the last Memphis Grizzlies wing to receive playing time?

If you haven’t figured it out already, it’s time to climb aboard — the Grizzlies love stockpiling players at the wing position. This should have been clear last year, when the Grizzlies drafted Desmond Bane in the first round, despite recently signing De’Anthony Melton to a long-term deal.

This year was no exception.

The Grizzlies did technically let Justise Winslow and Grayson Allen go, but to counteract that, they brought on Ziaire Williams, Sam Merrill, John Konchar, and Jarrett Culver. The logjam at the wing position lives to see another year.

The controversy here stands at figuring out who will receive playing time at that spot. To be more specific, we’ll try to figure out who won’t be receiving playing time at that spot, as they may be too many guys to throw into a single game as things stand.

The seemingly obvious answer would be Sam Merrill, who has seen the lowest level of production at the NBA level. That said, a 30-point performance where he knocked down eight three-pointers in the preseason put his name on the map. He could sneak his way into the rotation with the Grizzlies hoping he can fill a Grayson Allen-sized hole.

That said, Ziaire Williams seems guaranteed to get playing time, as the Grizzlies gave up a lot to move up and select him with the 10th-overall pick in the last draft.

This leaves Merrill, Konchar, and Culver in a dogfight for the end of the rotation. With Brooks out, it should give each of them a bigger opportunity to see the court. Still, we’ll get a better idea of what goes on in the season opener.