Beale Street Bears
Fansided

3 Memphis Grizzlies players likely to play more minutes in 2022-23

By Jack Hampton

MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 11: John Konchar #46 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum on January 11, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - JANUARY 11: John Konchar #46 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game against the Golden State Warriors at FedExForum on January 11, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Memphis Grizzlies
Xavier Tillman Sr., Memphis Grizzlies (Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports) /

Xavier Tillman Sr. ready to step up in place of Jaren Jackson Jr.?

In the 2021-22 season, Xavier Tillman may have had the strangest season out of the entire Grizzlies’ roster. On most nights, Tillman was on the outside of the rotation looking in. His minutes per game went from 18 his rookie year to 13 his sophomore year. Then in the playoffs, Karl-Anthony Towns forced Taylor Jenkins to bench Steven Adams and start Xavier Tillman. Not often does a borderline rotation player jump to a starter in the playoffs, but X didn’t think twice about it.

Going into this season, there is still a sense of the unknown for Grizzlies fans when it comes to Xavier Tillman. Will he solidify himself as the backup center on this team? Will the Grizzlies use him in a trade deal that brings in a veteran? These are all valid questions that have yet to be answered. Nonetheless, there is one thing for certain: Jaren Jackson will miss the start of the season.

Whether X is moved at the deadline or not, I envision a larger role for him this year due to the lack of size on this roster. Even though he is only 6’8, Tillman always seems to play bigger than he measures. On top of that, his availability is rarely ever in question.

With a team that is built on depth, it is hard to see a future where Xavier Tillman plays less than 13 minutes.

Home/Grizzlies News