Should Memphis Grizzlies fans be nervous for return of Dillon Brooks?

The Memphis Grizzlies are on the cusp of getting Dillon Brooks back from quarantine under the NBA’s Health and Safety protocols.

Brooks, in his fifth season out of Oregon, is averaging 19.3 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 19 games this season.

Brooks made his season debut Nov. 10 after he fully recovered from a broken left hand. He played in 19 games before he entered Health & Safety protocols after the Dec. 23 game at Golden State.

Why Memphis Grizzlies fans should be worried about the return of Brooks

Brooks has been a boon on defense for the Grizzlies this season, often guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player—he’s pesky and gets under their skin.

However, Brooks can often be a liability on offense. He’s taking around 17 shots per game—only two fewer per game than Ja Morant, who is averaging 19.1 shot attempts per game this season.

He’s taking three more shots per game on average than Desmond Bane (14.3 attempts per game) and four more shot attempts per game than Jaren Jackson.

Will Brooks need to hunt shots disrupt the excellent back-court bond Morant and Bane have developed in the past couple of weeks? The fewer shot attempts those two get, the fewer points they’ll score and the less impact they’ll have on the game.

What about Brooks’ propensity for accruing technical fouls? It’s been nice to not have to regularly give up free throws from verbal spats with referees or to see Brooks and an opposing player go at it.

The Grizzlies will no doubt need to find their chemistry once Brooks gets back. They have enjoyed experiencing addition by subtraction in Brooks’ absence. It’ll take some time to regain that familiarity and mojo, but they’ll get there.

If all goes according to plan, Brooks will be able to hang out around the three-point line and open up driving lanes to give Morant even more room to light it up in the paint.