2 Grizzlies who could become first time All-Stars in 2023-24

For the second consecutive season, the Memphis Grizzlies finished out 2022-23 as the number two seed in the Western Conference standings with a record of 51-31. Unfortunately, however, for the second time in three years, they proved to be a one-and-done participant when it mattered most during the playoffs.

Now, heading into 2023-24, there seems to be a bit of a somber feeling surrounding this club due, in large, to the impending suspension of superstar guard Ja Morant, which will be in effect for the first 25 games of the season.

Despite this unfortunate reality, however, objectively speaking there still are many things to be optimistic about when it comes to the Grizzlies.

Not having Morant in the fold for roughly the first two months of action is inarguably not ideal.

That said, this team has managed to succeed whilst enduring similar hiccups in the past, as they boast a 31-15 record when it comes to the 46 games the 23-year-old has missed over the last two seasons.

A major reason why Memphis has stayed afloat throughout these hardships is because of the stupendous collection of talent head coach Taylor Jenkins has had at his disposal. With the moves Zach Kleiman and company have made this summer, said collection has only improved.

Last season, we saw Jaren Jackson Jr. put forth a career-best campaign and, in turn, was able to nab the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award as well as his first All-Star nod.

Without Ja Morant, the big man will be in line to receive an even greater role within the Grizzlies’ scheme, and, along with him, there could also be several other talents that will be called upon to pick up the slack.

This opportunity could, in theory, result in some other Memphis players seeing a breakout campaign and, similar to what Jackson endured last year, may lead them to their first All-Star game.

Today, we at BSB highlight two players who could find themselves nabbing their first selections to the league’s illustrious mid-season exhibition.

1. Desmond Bane

Since being selected 30 overall during the 2020 NBA Draft, with every passing year Desmond Bane has only managed to get better and better.

Serving as Ja Morant’s trusty backcourt running mate over the last three seasons, the 25-year-old is coming off a tremendous campaign where he posted career-best averages in points (21.5), assists (4.4), rebounds (5.0), and field goal percentage (47.9) while knocking down a “career low” 40.8 percent of his attempts from deep.

It is because of these efforts and production that Bane earned himself a lucrative deal this summer, as he and the Grizzlies came to an agreement on a five-year, $207 million extension.

Now, with his new lofty payday and considering Morant is slated to miss 30 percent of the upcoming season, one should expect Taylor Jenkins to rely heavily on his soon-to-be fourth-year talent for backcourt productivity, and, judging based on last season, he’s more than capable of excelling without the All-NBA talent in tow, as he posted averages of 22.1 points, 5.0 assists, and 4.7 rebounds in such contests.

Should he put forth this or perhaps an even greater level of play, an All-Star selection should by no means be out of the realm of possibility for the highly underrated shooting guard.

2. Marcus Smart

Though many may be focusing on the mentorship that Marcus Smart is expected to bring to both Ja Morant and this young Memphis Grizzlies team as a whole, perhaps lost in the conversation is the fact that the point guard is without a doubt one of the better two-way backcourt talents currently in the league.

Since taking over as a full-time starting one during the 2021-22 season, the 29-year-old has posted solid averages of 18.1 points, 9.3 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.7 steals per 100 possessions while sporting an astounding defensive rating of 109.

However, for the majority of this time, he’s been surrounded by superstar talents such as Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown taking ample touches and opportunities away from him.

Memphis’ lone superstar will be shelved for a considerable amount of time during his upcoming inaugural season with the Grizzlies, meaning the veteran will not only be tasked with serving as the club’s unquestioned lead floor general (something that was not predominantly the case with the position-less Celtics) but also as one of their main go-to options on both ends of the floor.

Partnering him with Jaren Jackson Jr. will create one of the most electric one-two punches on both ends of the floor what with their defensive instincts and the potential for a strong pick-and-roll/ pop game on offense, while letting him run the offense, even for just the 25 games Morant’s out, could easily find Marcus Smart boasting career-best numbers which, as a result, could put him in the conversation for the star-studded in-season exhibition.

Analyst issues bold Grizzlies prediction for 2023-24 season

ESPN's Ramona Shelburne made a rather bold prediction about how the Memphis Grizzlies will fare during the 2023-24 season.