Coming into the 2023-24 season, the Memphis Grizzlies are preparing to take on an initial 25-game slate without superstar Ja Morant due to a league-issued suspension following yet another social media incident involving a suspected firearm.
Luckily, Taylor Jenkins has managed to guide his teams to rather significant heights during some of the guard’s previous absences, as they sport a record of 31-15 in such instances over the last two seasons.
Along with immaculate coaching, the Grizzlies have managed to stay more than afloat without their centerpiece in tow thanks to their impressive collection of players that, excitingly, managed to become even stronger this offseason.
This assortment of talent will find itself being put to the test during the first few months of the upcoming campaign in an effort to make up for the loss of Morant and, when looking at the roster, there are a few players in specific that could shine as a result of this added responsibility.
Grizzlies who will benefit from Ja Morant’s suspension
3. Jaren Jackson Jr.
Jaren Jackson Jr. finds himself coming off a career-best campaign in 2022-23 where he earned his first All-Star nod and was bestowed the illustrious Defensive Player of the Year award.
And while he established himself as a true anchor on the less glamorous side of the ball and, subsequently, the club’s second-best player, there’s an argument to be made that the big man was held back from serving as a true difference-maker on the offensive end of the game.
Despite his standing as the team’s co-star alongside Ja Morant, Jackson finished last season ranking fourth in total shot attempts per game and fifth in long-range attempts.
With both Dillon Brooks and Tyus Jones (ranked third and fifth, respectively, in shot attempts last year) being offloaded this summer, it was already expected that the 23-year-old was slated to see an uptick in touches and overall usage in the scoring department.
However, now with Morant’s suspension, one should only expect that his 13.0 shots on average will see a significant bump, which could realistically help his odds of clinching his second-straight All-Star selection and perhaps even an All-NBA moniker along the way.
2. Marcus Smart
This summer, GM Zach Kleiman made the decision to take part in a multi-team blockbuster that landed the Grizzlies Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics.
Though many suspect a significant reason for making this move revolved around the leadership he would bring to this young and promising Memphis core along with the defensive tenacity that could be used as a replacement for the exiting Dillon Brooks, his arrival also provides Taylor Jenkins with a much-needed substitute for Ja Morant at the point guard position.
Since officially being utilized as a full-time starting floor general back during the 2021-22 season, Smart has gone on to post solid per-game averages of 11.8 points, 6.1 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.6 steals while helping guide his team to two consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances and an NBA Finals berth.
With the once heavily relied upon backup Tyus Jones now in Washington as a result of the multi-team exchange, the Grizzlies will depend upon the soon-to-be 10-year veteran in Smart to run point during Morant’s suspension.
Considering his recent experience serving as the primary one for a title-hopeful squad, expect there to be smooth sailing for Memphis thanks, in large, to the 29-year-old.
1. Desmond Bane
This summer, Desmond Bane landed himself a lucrative new payday in the form of a five-year, $207 million max extension with the Grizzlies.
Obviously, such a deal is well deserved for the 25-year-old guard, as he has rapidly established himself as one of the best young backcourt talents in the game today.
Last season, despite suffering from a toe injury that ultimately required surgery back in May for the majority of the campaign, he managed to put forth career-best numbers virtually all across the board, boasting averages of 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists while shooting a highly efficient 47.9 percent from the field and 40.8 percent from distance.
Along with the fact that he was hobbled for the vast majority of 2022-23, what makes these efforts even more impressive is the fact that he performed at such heights whilst serving as the second option behind Ja Morant.
Now with the superstar guard sidelined through the beginning of December and the less-inclined shooter in Marcus Smart taking his place, Bane will be the unquestioned go-to scoring threat within Taylor Jenkins’ rotation to start the season which will almost certainly see his career-highs from last season swiftly be surpassed.
Should he have the kind of hot start that so many expect him to, it could also wind up thrusting his name into the early All-Star conversation.
3 Former Grizzlies that are still available on the free agent market
There are three specific former Memphis Grizzlies players currently on the free agency market who could still prove to be of service in an NBA rotation.