27 games into the 2024-25 NBA season, the Memphis Grizzlies sit in second place in the Western Conference with an 18-9 record. They have achieved this feat with Ja Morant missing 11 games, Zach Edey missing 12 games, Desmond Bane missing eight games, and a plethora of other important players including GG Jackson not playing at all yet.
The injuries the team has suffered throughout the first two months of the season have allowed others to step up and they haven't relinquished their playing time by much. Due to the depth of the team players don't have to log a lot of minutes but as games get tighter certain players will have to play more as only five players can be on the court at a time.
These three players deserve more time and need it when the Grizzlies' schedule gets tougher as they have the highest remaining strength of schedule in the NBA.
1. Zach Edey
The 7'4" big man was drafted ninth overall to slide into the Grizzlies' starting center position and give the team a potential nightmare matchup problem against other teams. GM Zach Kleiman mentioned on the night of the draft that other teams will have to adjust to the Grizzlies more than the Grizzlies being the adjuster.
However, that has been slowly developing as Edey ranks ninth in minutes played with 20.4 per game for the team. Foul troubles were the cause of his minute restrictions earlier in the season but have improved with time. Also, his minutes have gone up since he was moved to a bench role in leu of Brandon Clarke getting the starting nod after his earlier struggles coming off the bench.
Zach Edey played 24 minutes and started the second half in the Grizzlies' previous game against the Los Angeles Lakers after returning from a 12-game absence due to an ankle sprain. His 13 points, 10 rebounds, one block, and one steal stat line against the Lakers showed exactly why his on-court time should increase barring foul trouble.
2. Jaren Jackson Jr.
Arguably the Grizzlies' best player this season is third on the team in minutes player per game with 28.2. However, the two players Jaren Jackson Jr. trails in minutes are the other two of the Grizzlies' big three Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.
In the past, Jaren has been limited in minutes played due to foul trouble but this season has been his best in staying out of foul trouble as he is averaging a career-low with 3.3 fouls per game. He is also tied for the team lead in points per game with 22 points and leads the team in blocks and steals.
Most All-Star level players play 30-plus minutes but the Grizzlies have the luxury of playing him fewer minutes because of roster depth. However, as the games get tougher and tighter, Jaren will need to play more and get used to playing more minutes as it will be required from him.
3. Ja Morant
The Grizzlies superstar point guard is playing a career-low in minutes per game with 28.6 after not having any season where he has played less than 31 minutes per game. Considering Ja Morant's injury history and the team's performance when he is not on the court this season, playing fewer minutes might be helpful for him.
However, the Grizzlies will need him on the court as much as possible to match up against better competition. The Grizzlies have been beneficiaries in having the league's second-to-last place schedule strength this season.
Ja Morant is the best player on the team and is leading the team in assists with 8.4 per game while also tied for most points with Jaren Jackson Jr.. Having him on the court as much as possible bolds well for the team and their ability to close out the tougher opponents they have coming up on the schedule.