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3 biggest issues Grizzlies must address during training camp

By Mark Nilon

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 22: Head coach Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies listens to Ja Morant #12 during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on January 22, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Grizzlies 112-110. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 22: Head coach Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies listens to Ja Morant #12 during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on January 22, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Grizzlies 112-110. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzles forward Jaren Jackson Jr. pretends to play dead as center Steven Adams lifts him up. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Memphis Grizzles forward Jaren Jackson Jr. pretends to play dead as center Steven Adams lifts him up. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Backup big man rotation

Following the loss of starting pivot Steven Adams last season due to his sprained PCL, it was apparent both from the eye test as well as the advanced metrics that the Grizzlies were impacted in a severely negative manner.

A lack of a competent presence down at center saw the club’s production dip all across the board and, in the end, it was evident that they wound up losing the swagger they were playing with during the first three months of the season as a result.

Though Adams is expected to return at full strength this coming season, based on what transpired last year, Memphis should be prepping for an emergency alternate route just in case the injury bug once again chomps down on their beloved Big Kiwi.

Unfortunately, as of this writing, their collection of reserve bigs seems to be far from enviable.

Xavier Tillman, the team’s primary replacement at the position last year, is making his return after the front office exercised the option on his fourth and final year under contract this summer, though his impact when promoted to a starting role left much to be desired.

Santi Aldama also may be considered a possibility to log minutes down low, but considering his slender build (6-foot-11, 215 pounds) it may be wise for the team to try their best to avoid such a lineup out of concern for his physical well-being alone.

The team also has intriguing young talents such as G.G. Jackson and Isaiah Todd entering into their debut seasons with the Grizzlies, however, both are best viewed as passion project talents still in need of development and, thus should not be looked toward as reliable frontcourt commodities — at least, not right now.

While the simplest solution would be for coach Jenkins to slide All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. down from the four to play at the five should they be in need of a fill-in, considering his heavily critiqued play whilst serving as the starting center for Team USA during this summer’s FIBA World Cup, this may also be a questionable course of action.

Training camp will hopefully provide the coaching staff with more clarity for how they may wish to go about structuring their backup big man rotation.

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