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3 role players who will be vital to Grizzlies’ success in 2023-24

By Mark Nilon

SALT LAKE CITY UT- OCTOBER 26: Taylor Jenkins head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies watches action in their game against the Utah Jazz during the first half of their game at the Vivint Arena October 29, 2022 in Salt Lake City Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY UT- OCTOBER 26: Taylor Jenkins head coach of the Memphis Grizzlies watches action in their game against the Utah Jazz during the first half of their game at the Vivint Arena October 29, 2022 in Salt Lake City Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images) /
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Marcus Smart, Memphis Grizzlies
Marcus Smart of the Boston Celtics brings the ball up court during the game Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

1. Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart’s arrival in Memphis has a majority of fans and analysts safely predicting the role he’ll almost certainly be serving throughout the early stages of the 2023-24 campaign while Morant is held out due to suspension.

Considering his experience as a contending team’s primary point guard, the 29-year-old is slated to take on starting one duties during the first 25 games of the year.

However, even after the Grizzlies’ star guard’s return, Smart will still be an extremely valuable commodity within Jenkins’ rotation in a myriad of ways.

With him in tow, Memphis can now rather easily experiment with three-guard sets that include the aforementioned two talents in the backcourt and the 6-foot-5 Bane residing at the three.

With this lineup, not only could it help get the team cleaner scoring looks what with each of their respective abilities to set up teammates (collectively averaged 18.8 assists per game last year), but it could make their already electric pace of play all the more frightening for opposing defenses and, in turn, see them coming across more fastbreak opportunities.

What makes this idea all the more exciting is the fact that going small with Bane (a natural two) at small forward likely wouldn’t negatively impact the team’s defensive performance, for Smart, as fans should already be aware, is one of the best talents on the less glamorous side of the ball who has three All-Defensive team nods and a Defensive Player of the Year award under his belt.

Teaming him up with the reigning DPOY in Jackson Jr. gives the Grizzlies perhaps the best one-two defensive punch in the entire league, which further strengthens their claim of being one of the most formidable clubs on both ends of the floor.

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