The Memphis Grizzlies are free-falling at the worst time as playoff seeds are getting sorted out. They are currently on a three-game losing streak and have fallen three games behind the Houston Rockets for the Western Conference's second seed.
Also, they are only two and a half games ahead of the Los Angeles Clippers and Minnesota Timberwolves who hold the seventh and eighth-seeded play-in positions. While they remain as the fifth seed, they lose a tiebreaker to the Clippers if it reaches that point due to their 0-3 season series loss to them.
To make matters worse, the injury bug is biting the team again as Ja Morant has missed their last four games with a hamstring injury and the team announced that Brandon Clarke will miss the remainder of the season with a high-grade PCL sprain in his right knee. Clarke suffered a torn Achilles in March 2023 ahead of the Grizzlies' playoff series loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and was playing his first full season since suffering the injury.
Although Clarke was averaging career-lows in points (8.3), rebounds (5.1), and minutes (18.9), he was an integral part of the Grizzlies closing lineup as the switchable big alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. With the regular season winding down, the Grizzlies must utilize these players that will have to replace his production.
1. Santi Aldama
Technically, as the Grizzlies' top reserve, Santi Aldama is already in the role that he will step into. However, Aldama's strengths as a reserve big are vastly different from the physical Brandon Clarke and their defensive ability couldn't be more contrasting.
Aldama has provided a good repertoire with fellow big man Jaren Jackson Jr. that has made coach Taylor Jenkins confident enough to close games with those two in the front court. The Grizzlies' defense has been lackadaisical in the second half of the season and they have no other defender in the front court that can possess the same ability as Clarke.
So this provides a case where the Grizzlies will have to match the best pairing of players that can provide the best version of themselves offensively. Santi has taken steps to improve his defense this season and while it might not be good enough, he is their best option to replace the presence that Clarke brought on that end.
2. GG Jackson II
All signs pointed to the second-year forward being in the dog house after he was assigned to the Grizzlies G League team (Memphis Hustle) ahead of their current road trip. However, the future is now for the Grizzlies and if they believe GG Jackson is a part of the future, it's time for him to gain the necessary reps at the most important time of the season.
Part of the reason Jackson was demoted was likely due to his lack of defensive effort, but that can be questioned by the entire team at this point. GG Jackson can score with the best of them when given the proper opportunity, so the Grizzlies must capitalize on his strengths.
Reports surfaced that the Grizzlies refused to make a trade if GG Jackson was included at the trade deadline, and they traded away Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia to open the door for more playing time for him after returning from a lengthy injury. Giving GG playoff minutes will give him the relevant experience needed for a team that is still the fifth youngest in the NBA.