Grizzlies' strength in this area will be tested early in the season

As the Grizzlies prepare for their first NBA Preseason game of the 2023-24 season, their roster remains at 13 players and three two-way players. The Grizzlies maximized the NBA's addition of the third two-way contract last season as injuries piled up and provided opportunities to guys earning spots.

GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. began last season on a two-way contract before each earning their way on the main roster, signing four-year deals midway through the season. Scotty Pippen Jr. signed as a two-way player last season after playing for the South Bay Lakers (the NBA G League affiliate of the Los Angeles Lakers) for two seasons, followed by forward/center Trey Jemison and guard Jordan Goodwin.

Entering the 2023-24 season, the Grizzlies' two-way players consist of Scotty Pippen Jr., second-round pick Cam Spencer, and center Jay Huff. Due to the injuries of Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson to begin the regular season, the Grizzlies will need to utilize those two-way players on the main roster earlier than expected once again.

The Depth

The Grizzlies made moves this offseason to shore up a missing position (center) and added depth at another position (wing). Those moves signaled the likelihood that the team believes it can better overcome a loss at any position for any length of time. With the improvement of Jake LaRavia, the steadiness of John Konchar, and the skill set of rookie wing Jaylen Wells, the team believes it can overcome the loss of Vince and GG.

Where the two-way players fill-in will be at the backup point guard position and the fifth big man position. The retirement of Derrick Rose a few days before training camp opened the door for Scotty Pippen Jr. to get a chance to earn a roster spot and solidify the backup point guard position. Cam Spencer offers another option, as he can play both guard positions in the event that his number needs to be called.

Zach Edey is the only true center on the roster, so Jay Huff will potentially have to step up as the only other center in the Grizzlies organization on any given night. With two open roster spots and many veteran players available on the free agent market, should the Grizzlies feel the need to add more depth at any position, they have the roster space to make it happen.

One of the Grizzlies' biggest strengths in their back-to-back two-seed seasons was the depth of the team, and they will need that to be a strength once again, as the injury bug has already affected the team before the start of the season. At least this time, the main core (Ja Morant, Desmond, Jaren Jackson Jr.) is available to offset the chance it can become a weakness.