Do the Memphis Grizzlies really need to add a veteran contributor this offseason?

The Memphis Grizzlies have taken full advantage of being one of the few teams participating in multiple Summer Leagues (Salt Lake City, Las Vegas) this offseason, using it to help give their massive rookie class important minutes and instruction to take with them before reconvening in the fall for training camp.

Playing three games in Salt Lake City, plus four in Las Vegas, gives the five-deep rookie class an opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the experienced young players on the team (Santi Aldama, Ziaire Williams and Xavier Tillman Sr.) and also create a rapport with the coaching staff.

We’ve gotten a chance to see first-round picks Jake LaRavia and David Roddy, second-round picks Kennedy Chandler and Vince Williams Jr., plus undrafted two-way player Kenneth Lofton Jr.

Why the Memphis Grizzlies need to add another veteran this offseason

It’s easy to overreact with such a small, limited sample size— these guys have only been a member of the Grizzlies for a couple of weeks now and had even less time to get acquainted and practice together.

However, we’ve gotten some great glimpses of what each of these players can bring to the table next season.

With the departures of De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson (plus Jaren Jackson’s injury), a lot of these rookies are going to be counted on to contribute on the main roster during the 2022-23 season.

The rookies will be competing against Tyus Jones, John Konchar, Williams, Brandon Clarke and Tillman Sr. for minutes in the rotation. When you look a little closer at those names, you’ll realize all have three or fewer years of experience in the NBA, except for Jones.

There could be a need to append that list, depending on what happens with Danny Green in the coming weeks and months.

What happens if one of them gets injured or plays really poorly and becomes a liability? One or some of these rookies will have their name called to step-up and contribute in a big way. That’s a fairly significant gamble for the team to put so much faith into an unproven commodity.

There’s a sizeable contingency that believes the team needs to go out and make a trade for a veteran or engage in a free agent signing to alleviate some of the pressure the rookies are likely to face in 2022-23.

While it’s still way too early to make any meaningful assessments about the rookies, they’ve done well in their first outings as members of the Memphis Grizzlies during play in the Salt Lake City Summer League and the Las Vegas Summer League. But, it hasn’t been enough to convince me that any of them can step up and contribute regularly in a positive manner during the regular season.

Fortunately, Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman recently went on record to say they are exploring all avenues to continue building their roster this offseason.

Much of the NBA is still waiting on blockbuster moves to happen before progressing on other deals (i.e. Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Donovan Mitchell).

The Grizzlies could slide in as a third or fourth team to help facilitate any of those deals and come out with a decent player.

Or they could try to engage with the San Antonio Spurs, who seem to be undergoing a big rebuild and would be willing to part with players for picks or expiring deals— think Jakob Poeltl, Josh Richardson or Keldon Johnson.

Any of the players not named Donovan Mitchell on the Utah Jazz could be assets to the Memphis Grizzlies, too— think Bojan Bogdanovic or Jarred Vanderbilt

And there are still decent mid-level exception players available in free agency the team could look to purse once some of these big names get moved this offseason (Kent Bazemore, Austin Rivers, Jordan Nwora).

Kleiman is incredibly choosy when it comes to player type and will not risk bringing in talent at the expense of damaging the team’s chemistry or culture.

It can be a tough needle to thread. There many be some talented players available, but if they don’t fit the vision, it’s not worth pursing. Or, there may be guys the front office has identified as desirable, but maybe their current team has not made them available for trade or the asking price is too steep.

So, we know we could use some veteran talent and we know Kleiman is working the phones, now we just have to be patient and enjoy the ride.

Don’t forget, the 2022 NBA Executive of the Year is steering this ship. Everything is going to work out and this will be a well-rounded roster before training camp starts in the fall.