The 3 Biggest storylines for the Grizzlies after media day

Coming off an injury-riddled 27-win campaign last season, the Memphis Grizzlies returned to the podium at media day eager to leave last season in the past. With Ja Morant being available to begin this season, the Grizzlies are confident that they can seriously contend with the NBA's elite.

The Grizzlies return 12 players from last season (including two-way contracts) and have added three rookies to his year's group that looked to be at ease as continuity is something that is needed to compete at the highest level. With the core members in place and battle-tested from previous playoff experience, the following storylines will determine how ready the Grizzlies are to return to their high-level form.

1. The backup point guard

This has been the ultimate question for the Grizzlies ever since they traded away the reliable Tyus Jones last offseason. Marcus Smart (who was included in that trade for Tyus Jones) figured to take over backup point guard duties while also, starting alongside Ja Morant in the backcourt last season. Derrick Rose was also signed to provide backup minutes while Morant was out to begin last season and potentially continue that role once he returned.

However, injuries never allowed that to materialize, and now Derrick Rose has retired. In comes Scotty Pippen Jr., who the Grizzlies signed to a two-way contract in January and impressed right away with the Grizzlies, scoring 15 points with six assists and six rebounds in his first meaningful performance with the team.

After an impressive Summer League performance that had General Manager Zach Kleiman asking why wasn't he the MVP, Pippen Jr. figures to challenge the notion of the Grizzlies not playing a traditional point guard as the backup to Morant this season.

2. Marcus Smart's Fit

It is no secret that the Grizzlies will have a non-traditional NBA starting lineup with three guards (Morant, Smart, Bane) with Desmond Bane being the tallest at 6'5." Last season's data with that lineup is so small (six games) that it is hard to get a gauge for the fit but the team should be able to know very early this season with all three players available to start.

Despite the height disadvantage against most other teams, Marcus Smart's defensive acumen will be key to making that lineup work and it is needed, quite frankly, with Ja Morant's defensive deficiencies and Desmond Bane's short wingspan (6'4"). The former Defensive Player of Year's ability to guard taller players with his 220-pound frame and 6'9" wingspan can help offset the negatives for that lineup as well.

3. Ja Morant is locked in

Not only do the Grizzlies need a healthy Ja Morant, but they also need a focused Ja Morant and that seems to be the case. His past issues off the court look to be a thing of the past, and his focus isn't on proving people wrong, but to prove himself and his teammates right about their ability to contend with the upper echelon of the league.

Ja Morant is one of the best players in the NBA, and when he is locked in, there are not many players that can be ranked ahead of him. He is growing into the leader the team needs to stay afloat in a stacked Western Conference, and the NBA needs to be on notice that he is back and potentially better than he was before.