Though 2023-24 has been a year largely to forget for the Memphis Grizzlies, as of this writing regular season's end is only a month and change away.
With little else to play for outside of, say, dignity, during these final weeks of action Taylor Jenkins may wish to take some liberties with his rotational decision-making to give players a different role to help aid in their development and, worst case scenario, to set the team up for a better lottery selection come this June's draft.
Grizzlies players that must be started during final weeks of season
When looking at this team's current assortment of talent, there are a number of individuals who could benefit from a bit of a shakeup to their roles within coach Jenkins' lineup, with a few, in particular, that should be strongly considered for starting nods during this final stretch of the campaign.
3. Lamar Stevens
Attained ahead of this year's trade deadline, Lamar Stevens has already established himself as a player who could be of great service to this Grizzlies organization moving forward.
Not only is he a rotationally interchangeable talent who can slot in anywhere from the three down to, surprisingly, the five (he's been used down at the pivot on a number of occasions so far in Memphis) but he's also a true two-way presence who, in many ways, exemplifies "Grit and Grind" style of basketball to a tee.
Jenkins and company already seem to know what they have in him as a role player. Now, during these final weeks, it may be time for them to see what he could provide when taking on a bigger role within the lineup.
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— Grind City Media (@grindcitymedia) February 9, 2024
Through 12 games played in the 38103, the 26-year-old finds himself logging 11.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and just shy of a block while shooting a highly efficient 47.8 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from distance.
Considering Memphis' season-long injury list that rivals the length of a CVS receipt, adding depth to this rotation ahead of what is hoped to be a prosperous 2024-25 season should be one of GM Zach Kleiman's top priorities this summer.
Testing out Stevens in varying positions within the starting lineup could give the front office a valuable look at what he can provide them and could strengthen their desires to re-up with his services during this summer when he hits unrestricted free agency.