3 breakout candidates for Memphis Grizzlies in 2022-23

Brandon Clarke will take advantage of JJJ absence in contract year

After taking a step back in year two, Brandon Clarke made a strong comeback last season and proved he can become a cornerstone piece for this franchise. While he started in just one game, he was in most of the team’s closing lineups, which shows that coach Jenkins highly values his impact and winning mentality.

His greatest performance came in the first round against the Timberwolves during the 2022 NBA Playoffs. Averaging 16.5 points and 9 rebounds on 69.7% shooting, he was easily the best big man of the Grizzlies and showed he can handle a larger role. Now that Jaren will be out until late December, at least, Clarke should be the one asked to fill his void in the starting lineup.

On offense, while the Grizzlies have players like Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks to carry the offensive load while Jaren is gone, Clarke is very capable of being a consistent scoring threat. His bounce, finishing and pick-and-roll excellence are much needed, especially when he’s playing with two elite playmakers, like Ja and Tyus.

Defensively, what stands out is his ability to switch, something that was strongly demonstrated in the second-round series against the Warriors. While he’s not thought of as a rim protector like Jaren Jackson, he was the team’s second-best shot-blocker, which is the main reason he should be starting at the beginning of the 2022-23 season.

Overall, Brandon Clarke just fits Memphis and its blue-collar culture. He’s been a part of it for three years and I think the 2022-23 season is the perfect time for him to step up and be a leader for this young Grizzlies team.