3 glaring weaknesses Grizzlies must address this offseason

After enduring their first sub-30 win season since 2017-18, it goes without saying that this Memphis Grizzlies team is in need of some serious tweaking during the upcoming summer months.

Though injuries and other off-court issues that led to a history-breaking number of absences played the biggest role in their lackluster 27-55 finish, present within coach Taylor Jenkins' rotation are several areas that could use for some fine-tuning between now and tip-off to 2024-25.

Glaring weaknesses the Memphis Grizzlies must address this offseason

From specific positional needs to rotational quagmires, this summer, the Grizzlies must look to address a few specific glaring weaknesses if they wish to thrust themselves back into the title contender conversation as soon as next season.

3. Efficient backup point guard play

In the past, the Grizzlies have proven to be quite successful without Ja Morant in the lineup, even going 20-5 in such scenarios during their 56-win season two years back.

Of course, this season saw an opposite situation at hand, as Memphis was an absolute mess with their head honcho sidelined, recording a record of 21-52 during the times when the point guard was either out due to suspension or injury.

Perhaps the biggest difference between these past campaigns compared to the one that just passed was the fact that even with Morant sidelined, coach Jenkins still found himself in possession of a reliable point guard in Tyus Jones who could run an offense effectively and maintain the flow of a game.

For the vast majority of 2023-24, the Grizzlies did not have such a talent in tow.

Early on, their big offseason acquisition Marcus Smart was looked toward to fill such a role within the rotation, but, even before missing extensive time due to injury, it was evident that the veteran was most effective serving as a tertiary option rather than a go-to floor general.

Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. also both tried to pick up the slack in the quarterback on the court department -- with the latter, particularly, showcasing an improved playmaking ability --, but neither is capable of picking up the slack that a true point guard would.

Fortunately, during the latter portion of the season, Scotty Pippen Jr. showed his ability to serve as a Jones-esque commodity for the Grizzlies, posting 13.3 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.0 rebounds on 47.9 percent shooting from the floor and 36.9 percent shooting from deep through 16 starts, so perhaps there's hope yet that the franchise has already found a low-cost quality backup floor general.

Still, be it him or someone else, Memphis cannot afford to go into next year's campaign without a second pure point guard within their collection of talent.