Heading into the 2023-24 campaign, the Memphis Grizzlies are considered to be a strong two-way ball club that, should they stay fully committed and focused, could find themselves intertwined within the legitimate title contender conversation as the campaign progresses.
With talents like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and, upon returning from his initial 25-game suspension, superstar Ja Morant leading the charge it’s easy to see why this team is viewed in such high regard.
However, the Grizzlies are far from just a four-man show, as they roster a slew of capable and mightily impactful players who have, can, and will leave a positive mark on this team both on and off the court.
Unfortunately, many of these contributors are not receiving the kind of attention and praise that they rightly deserve.
The Grizzlies roster some criminally underrated players heading into 2023-24
Hopefully, during the upcoming 82-game regular season slate and beyond, the narratives regarding some of these talents will start to shift and, in turn, they’ll be acknowledged for their particular attributes.
With this in mind, coming into the new campaign there are three specific Grizzlies players that could be argued as being the most underrated on this current roster.
3. Derrick Rose
Memphis’ decision to sign Derrick Rose to a minimum two-year, $6.5 million deal in free agency is one that has received very little acknowledgment from fans and, surprisingly, even media pundits, with many mainly highlighting the fact that his on-court play has tapered off in recent seasons, which, in turn, has them suggesting that the addition “isn’t one that moves the needle.”
However, focusing on his in-game productivity simply misses the point of the Grizzlies bringing on the former superstar, as it’s his sheer presence within the locker room that’s hoped to have a significant impact on the team’s young core and, more specifically, their franchise centerpiece in Morant.
Players of both past and present have already praised this mentorship-focused acquisition, with former All-NBA guard Isaiah Thomas going as far as to predict that Rose, the youngest MVP in league history, will help the cornerstone inch closer to “some MVP sh*t” himself.
While the veteran may no longer be the perennial All-Star talent he once was, he has gracefully established himself as a vital veteran leader and was commended for his efforts in this department during his 2022-23 campaign with the surprise New York Knicks.
Now the young and promising Grizzlies bring him aboard, and his presence should do wonders for their upward trajectory.