Following a slew of savvy offseason moves and several key rotational additions, the Memphis Grizzlies are heading into the 2023-24 season with hopes of embarking on a deep postseason run. Some analysts and media pundits are even going as far as to pencil the club in as a serious contender for the 2024 Larry O’Brien Trophy.
However, in order for them to achieve such lofty goals, many things will have to play out just right, and, naturally, players will have to perform at their absolute best simply to give the club any semblance of a chance of claiming ultimate glory.
When it comes to Taylor Jenkins’ current assortment of talent, it’s easy to see just how well-rounded they are. From rotational headliners such as Ja Morant to strong mentors like Derrick Rose, the Grizzlies are chock full of noteworthy names who are capable of having an impact on overall team success in a myriad of ways.
That said, there are a few not-so-obvious individuals (i.e. those not named Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., or Desmond Bane) who have the potential to either make or break Memphis’ title aspirations with their respective play.
Grizzlies who will make or break a title run in 2023-24
3. Marcus Smart
The Grizzlies are coming into the 2023-24 campaign with superstar centerpiece Ja Morant slated to be suspended for the first 25 games as a result of yet another firearm incident.
Though it’s more than evident that replacing the guard in full is a fool’s errand, this summer GM Zach Kleiman took part in a multi-team blockbuster transaction that landed them trusty veteran Marcus Smart from the Boston Celtics to hold down the fort in his absence and, upon his return to action, to serve as a crucial presence within the rotation on both ends of the ball and on the sidelines.
Aside from bringing stability to the starting one for the first couple of months of the upcoming campaign, the 29-year-old is coming to Grind City with ample postseason experience attached to his already impressive resume, as he’s suited up for an astonishing 108 games in the playoffs, including five conference finals visits and an NBA Finals appearance, throughout his nine-year career.
With his specific on-court intangibles coupled with his exciting level of familiarity under the bright lights and harsh pressures of the postseason, the arrival of Smart is something this coaching staff is hoping will help the young Grizzlies lift their level of efficiency and enhance mental fortitude heading into an incredibly promising campaign.
2. Ziaire Williams
This summer, the Grizzlies made the bold decision to part ways with long-tenured starting small forward Dillon Brooks, as he was offloaded to the Houston Rockets via sign-and-trade.
While many seem to be under the impression that such a move was the right one for Memphis to have made, it has simultaneously carved out a vacancy at one of the game’s most important positions at the wing.
At this point in time, there is no clear-cut option Taylor Jenkins can look to in an effort to replace the polarizing play of Brooks at the three, though, in a perfect world, Ziaire Williams would be the ideal selection.
Taken 10 overall back in the 2021 NBA Draft, the former Stanford standout drew rather rave comparisons upon coming into the association, with some deeming him as a Paul George-lite type of talent.
While he has yet to sniff such potential through his first two seasons in the association (7.2 points, 2.1 rebounds on 44.8 percent shooting), considering he has an opportunity to claim the starting small forward position for himself, the hope may now be that he can finally put his skills to their fullest use.
Should he become anything close to what the Grizzlies believed he could be upon selecting him in the lottery, there could be a grandiose impact on the club’s starting unit once fully intact, along with Memphis’ overall two-way potential.
1. Steven Adams
While there were several key members of the Grizzlies who missed significant time last season, there’s a strong argument to be made that no individual’s presence on the hardwood was more missed than Steven Adams’.
In late January, the veteran center sustained a PCL sprain in his right knee that, though initially expected to hold a three-to-five-week recovery period, ultimately held him out for the final 35 games of the regular season and the entirety of their one-and-done playoff run.
Through 42 games played, Adams posted averages of 8.6 points, 11.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.1 blocks on 59.7 percent shooting from the field which, while impressive, are certainly not numbers that will blow anyone away on their own.
However, the impact his production had on the Grizzlies as a whole undoubtedly was.
Prior to going down for the season, with Adams in tow Memphis ranked third in win percentage (.674), first in offensive rebounding (13.4), first in total rebounding (49.4), first in defensive rating (109.2), and second in net rating (5.4).
Following his PCL sprain, however, the club plummeted in each of these aforementioned categories, ranking 13 (.556), 13 (10.3), 15 (43.1), ninth (112.6), and 13 (2.2), respectively.
Looking around the roster, the deep collection of talent on the Grizzlies has the ability to effectively find a replacement for virtually any position in need of filling… all except for the pivot position, evidently.
In order for Memphis to reach their full potential, they’ll need the nitty-gritty services of a healthy Steven Adams to be found manning the middle.
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