The 2023-24 season has been anything but kind to the Memphis Grizzlies. After playing without Ja Morant for the first 25 games of the year due to his suspension, Memphis found themselves with a 6-19 record and needing a lot to go right for them to climb back into the playoff picture.
Already missing several other key players like Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke, the Grizzlies faced an uphill battle. But just as Morant was beginning to get back in a groove, it was announced he would miss the remainder of the season after suffering a tear in his right shoulder.
For many, this news seemed to mark the unofficial end of the Grizzlies' season. Without their best player, the chances at making a legitimate run seemed to become positively miniscule. However, since Morant's departure, Memphis has posted a winning record and looks to continue to try to make something out of nothing.
As the February 8 trade deadline approaches, the Grizzlies will be on the lookout for improvements they can make to set them up for success not just this season, but in future seasons as well. There are a few moves they can make that will give them a boost, while some other potential moves should be avoided.
Boost: Acquire more shooters
For anyone who has followed the NBA the last seven or eight years, it is an obvious statement that shooting is required to win in this league. As of this writing, the Grizzlies rank 28th out of the 30 NBA teams in team three-point shooting at just 34.6%. This is an even worse mark than last season when they shot 34.8% and ranked 23rd league-wide.
Simply put, Memphis needs more shooters to be back in contention next season when the roster has returned to full health. Surrounding Ja Morant with guys who have gravity and can knock down shots at a high rate will do wonders for the offense.
Luke Kennard is the clear best pure shooter on this team that is a part of the regular rotation. Adding more specialty shooters like a Davis Bertans or even a more all-around type player like a Robert Covington that can knock down spot-up uncontested shots would be an excellent move for this team.