5 Changes Grizzlies must make after disastrous start to 2023-24 season
By Tyler Watts
4. Limit turnovers
The Grizzlies were 12th in the league in turnovers last season at 13.6 per game, but they had Ja Morant and Tyus Jones running their offense. Jones was traded to Washington in the three-team deal that landed Marcus Smart in Memphis. Morant is suspended, so it is Smart, Desmond Bane, and Derrick Rose running the Grizzlies’ attack.
Memphis is averaging 16.0 turnovers per game so far this year, which ranks 23rd in the NBA. They have lost the turnover battle in just two of their first four contests, but they have given up 19.5 points per game off those giveaways, or the seven-worst average in the league.
The Grizzlies must take better care of the ball. They have had a starter with at least five turnovers in every game. It has been Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, and Xavier Tillman Sr. over the first four games, and every player needs to be better moving forward.
Smart’s 3.8 turnovers per game would be by far a career-high. He will improve as the familiarity with his teammates grows. The Grizzlies have not had much continuity in the early going. Still, Smart, Desmond Bane, and Ziaire Williams, who starts at the three, all need to limit their giveaways.