Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said sometimes you need to take a step back and be willing to take avenues to work towards winning a title in his response to trading former core member Desmond Bane last month. Many pundits have agreed to the first part of that statement and most predict the Grizzlies to be worse as currently constructed.
Despite an eighth-place finish in the Western Conference regular season standings and being swept in the first round of the playoffs last season, the team had a core in place that had achieved success in the past. But accessing that situation and pivoting to building around a Ja Morant-Jaren Jackson Jr. duo created a hole in their roster.
Who is the Grizzlies' third-best player, and is that player good enough to compensate for the loss of Bane? Let's look at the candidates:
1. Santi Aldama
Aldama was the Grizzlies' leading bench scorer and 4th leading scorer overall last season. Following the departure of Bane, he is considered the third option for the team, which is now lacking a clear third scoring option in the presumed starting lineup.
His jump in shooting percentages, playmaking, and rebounding made him a priority to be re-signed ahead of his restricted free agency. The Grizzlies need him to replicate that productivity and continue his upward trajectory as a Sixth Man of the Year candidate to provide the team with the additional offensive firepower.
2. Jaylen Wells
The biggest surprise of last season will likely retain his starting position at the small forward position as currently constructed. Jaylen Wells is the team's best perimeter defender and a knockdown shooter who could elevate his game to new heights.
While Aldama's offensive repertoire is better than Wells', his combination of offense and defense makes him the better player for the team to provide hope in developing to be the third option. Wells complements Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. very well and if he can develop a consistent go-to move, the Grizzlies will have their mix of third options on any given night.
3. Cedric Coward
This is huge pressure to put on a rookie, but Cedric Coward was valued as the Grizzlies traded up in the draft to select him with the 11th overall selection to be their future on the wing. Coward has the measurables and balanced game to give the Grizzlies a formidable wing duo of him and Jaylen Wells.
Coward becoming the Grizzlies' third-best player in his rookie season would solidify their longtime search for that player and expedite the move of Jaylen Wells to shooting guard. While this might not be the best case for championship contention this upcoming season, the future for the Grizzlies' contention would begin soon afterward.