Predicting the Grizzlies' 11-man rotation when everyone is healthy

The Memphis Grizzlies entered the 2024-25 season with a question mark regarding their depth as they began the season without projected rotation members Jaren Jackson Jr., GG Jackson, Vince Williams Jr., and Luke Kennard. After signing Scotty Pippen Jr. to a standard contract during the preseason, the team had an open roster spot when the regular season started.

Three games into the beginning of the regular season, Jay Huff earned the final roster spot after starting the season on a tear while helping the team offset the absence of Jaren Jackson Jr. in their first two games and having a career performance when Jaren returned against the Orlando Magic. Including that game against the Magic and last night's game against the Denver Nuggets, the Grizzlies have played 11 players double-digit minutes in six of their 14 games this season.

As they sit with an 8-6 record after yesterday's victory over the Denver Nuggets, the Grizzlies' fanbase finds themselves trying to figure out who will vie for regular playing time when the team returns to full health. While the team continues to perform well and get players back, here's what to expect when all 15 players are available to play again.

The Starters

Three of the Grizzlies' five starters are obvious with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. as the core the team is built around. With the starting point guard, shooting guard, and power forward positions on lock, the other two positions have been a revolving door throughout their first 14 games.

Marcus Smart has been the primary starting small forward but Santi Aldama and Jaylen Wells have performed well in his absence, leading to him coming off the bench for two games when he returned last week after missing six games. Also, Zach Edey was the team's starting center for the first nine games of the season but has come off the bench in the Grizzlies' last five games.

It is tough to tell now but the assumption will be that Marcus Smart and Zach Edey will be the primary starters at the small forward and center positions once back to full health. Zach Edey left yesterday's game with an ankle injury so the team awaits confirmation of his status going forward this season.

The Bench

The Grizzlies have arguably 14 players that deserve to play minutes and the assumed 15th man has been a rotation mainstay the last two seasons. With that said, expect the team to play 11 guys as has been the case when the team has been majority healthy this season.

John Konchar would be the assumed 15th man while the team has to decide what other three players will be left without regular playing time. Even predicting the sixth man is difficult but with the starter minutes he has garnered, Santi Aldama would assume the sixth man duties.

Seeing as coach Taylor Jenkins prefers to play with a primary ball handler on the court at all times, Scotty Pippen Jr. would assume the backup point guard minutes behind Ja Morant. Vince Williams Jr., GG Jackson, and Jaylen Wells will be the primary wing three-and-d guys who will compete at some point to start at small forward. Brandon Clarke has started four of the five games that Zach Edey hasn't so it is safe to assume he will be the backup center.

That leaves very deserving players Luke Kennard, Jake LaRavia, and Jay Huff as the depth pieces, along with John Konchar, who can play at any time when the team loses someone for a game or two. The Grizzlies remain a little while away before having to make these decisions, with GG Jackson not expected to return until late December, but they have a good problem when the time does come.