Grizzlies youngster could ‘step into a larger role’ in 2023-24

Heading into the 2023-24 campaign, the Memphis Grizzlies are hoping to see an “all hands on deck” mentality as they try to weather the unfortunate storm that is Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension.

With this impending absence, the expectation is that head coach Taylor Jenkins will grant larger roles to the club’s other talents, with obvious choices for promotions being Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr.

However, outside of these names, there are plenty of others who could be primed to take on more tasks within this Grizzlies scheme and, according to Bleacher Report’s Mo Dakhil, big man Santi Aldama could be one of these individuals.

Santi Aldama could be in line to take on a  ‘larger role’ with Memphis Grizzlies 

Citing his abilities as a floor-spacing frontcourt option, along with his impressive size that allows him to switch between the four and the five, Dakhil sees Aldama as a player worthy of more playing time for the Grizzlies, particularly off the pine.

"“One young player who could step into a larger role for the Grizzlies is Santi Aldama as a stretch big off the bench. He shot 35.3 percent from three, just behind Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 35.5 percent for best shooting big man on the team,” Dakhil wrote.“One issue that might step in the way of Aldama getting a larger role is if his defense does not get better. He doesn’t have to be as good as the current Defensive Player of the Year, but he simply needs to keep the team afloat.”"

This summer, Aldama showed he is more than capable of producing at an effective rate when bestowed a pivotal role within a rotation, as he served as a primary contributor for Team Spain during the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and posted encouraging averages of 11.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and a block per game while shooting 72.2 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from deep.

While his outside game could stand to benefit this Grizzlies team, as they placed a lowly 23 in long-range percentage last season, his 6-foot-11 size along with his underrated strength could also help provide a nice jolt of interior offense as well, especially while the attacking Morant remains sidelined to start the year.

In Dahkil’s piece, he would note that it’s a possibility Memphis could include Aldama in a trade to better bolster their supporting roster in the near future should he fail to carve out a greater role for himself.

However, as of this moment, the aim is to see the soon-to-be third-year big man earn his keep as a consistent contributor within Jenkins’ lineup during the 2023-24 season and beyond.

New trade idea sends O.G. Anunoby to Grizzlies

A recent report notes that the Grizzlies "had high, high interest" in trading for O.G. Anunoby. This is a new trade that could send him to Memphis.