3 breakout candidates for Memphis Grizzlies in 2022-23

Tyus Jones slated for huge role after Kyle Anderson, De’Anthony Melton exit

In his first three seasons for Memphis, Tyus hasn’t been just valuable for the Grizzlies, he’s been necessary. He’s been one of their most stable players and has kept them from falling apart when Ja Morant was out of the lineup.

His ability to facilitate without turning the ball over is unlike any other point guard in the league. That’s even statistically proven, as he has led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio for the last four seasons.

Memphis chose to keep relying on him this off-season and re-signed him to a two-year, $30 million deal (that made him one of the highest paid back-up point guards in the NBA) and I have plenty of reasons to believe next season could be Jones’ best one.

Despite being in the league for seven years, Tyus is just 26 years old and is now entering the best phase of his career. Last season he showed more aggressiveness with shooting the ball and getting to his floater, which resulted in career highs in points per game, field goals made and three-point percentage (finishing with 39 percent for the season).

As De’Anthony Melton and Kyle Anderson, two key pieces of the second unit, left the team, Tyus should have increased ballhandling and playmaking responsibilities. He will be getting the ball on his hands more than ever, which is usually good for the Grizzlies.

Lastly, during the 2021-22 season, we saw Head Coach Taylor Jenkins trying to use more Ja and Tyus in the same lineup, an experiment that was met with relative success. I expect the Grizzlies to keep exploring the possibilities of this partnering next season, which would mean even more minutes and opportunities for Tyus to have a breakout season.