Beale Street Bears
Fansided

NBA writer gushes over Grizzlies guard’s All-Star potential in 2023-24

By Mark Nilon

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 03: Head coach Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies looks over the playbook in the second quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on March 03, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MARCH 03: Head coach Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies looks over the playbook in the second quarter of the game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on March 03, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts. 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 Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Heading into the 2023-24 campaign, the Memphis Grizzlies possess two All-Stars within their midst in Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., making them one of only a handful of teams to have seen such a studly collection of talent last season.

By the time February of 2024 rolls around, however, Taylor Jenkins’ club could find a third talent gearing up for the illustrious exhibition alongside them in the likes of Desmond Bane.

At least, that’s what Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley said when ranking him as by far the most promising young prospect on the Grizzlies.

"“Bane is the most established and productive (and richest) player of any in this exercise, but he qualifies nevertheless. His career has played out like a spaceship that took a little time to launch but is now blasting out of the atmosphere. After a solid, but statistically subtle rookie season, he made a big leap as a sophomore and another in his third season. No one would bat an eye if his fourth campaign included his first All-Star selection,” Buckley wrote."

Coming off his third season in the association, Desmond Bane went on to post tremendous numbers in 2022-23. Logging 31.7 minutes a night, the 25-year-old put up stunning averages of 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists (all career highs) while converting on 47.9 percent of his attempts from the field and 40.8 percent from deep.

As a result of his astounding per-game production, the Memphis Grizzlies rewarded their two guard with a lucrative new five-year, $197 million max contract extension this summer, keeping him committed to Grind City through 2029.

If his production from last season is any indication, during Ja Morant’s impending 25-game suspension to kick off the upcoming campaign, Bane is more than capable of serving as a top-two option alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. and can take care of primary guard duties when needed.

His impact and overall on-court play while running with newcomer Marcus Smart in the backcourt to start the year will likely have a significant effect on his All-Star chances and, as Buckley stated in his piece, “no one would bat an eye” if he received such an honor in year four.

Home/Grizzlies Rumors