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

Could Santi Aldama give the Memphis Grizzlies a bench boost this season?

Even though it will only be his second year in the league, this season could be a make-or-break year for Santi Aldama. With four rookies drafted this year, Aldama will need to cement his spot in the rotation, and there are plenty of opportunities for him to do so.

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s injury impacts Aldama, but in a different way than Tillman. One of the biggest questions of the Grizzlies’ offseason is “Who will start in his place?”

This role, in previous years, was Kyle Anderson (who started most games in Jackson’s injury-riddled 2020-21 season). There’s no doubt Aldama has the potential to start with his 6’11″ frame, but inconsistency ultimately kept him out of the rotation last year. The defensive leap from Loyola Maryland to the NBA goes without saying, but the offensive struggles were apparent as well.

The starting power forward position is not the only opening on the roster for Aldama. Bench minutes at the same position are there for the taking as well. To Aldama, training camp is the first step to claiming them. Going into his second season, he will respond under pressure and earn minutes from the jump. Even though Aldama may not immediately start in place of Jackson, I can definitely see Aladama’s minutes growing with Kyle Anderson in Minnesota now (pun intended).