When Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies aggressively pushed the eventual 2022 NBA World Champion Golden State Warriors to a hard-fought six-game series in the Western Conference Semis, it was certain a championship pursuit was in their immediate future. The availability of the Grizzlies’ superstar floor general has been the main detriment factor to Memphis’ bumpy road since his heroics vs Golden State in 2022. Fast forward two seasons and the Grizzlies have one lone playoff appearance. The Grizzlies would fall short to the Los Angeles Lakers in yet another tough Western Conference first-round matchup that would go six games. Morant only started 11 games post-All-Star Break that season prior before being caught on Instagram Live possessing a firearm in Denver, resulting in the league suspending him for eight games.
After another Instagram Live video in the 2023 offseason, Morant would be suspended for the first 25 games of the 2023-24 season. He would return for nine games before going down with a season-ending shoulder injury. Morant’s availability paired with several other key injuries caused the Grizzlies to have a disappointing 2023-24 season in which they won just 27 games. However, expectations are high for Memphis to have a bounce-back season.
Grizzlies’ Potent Backcourt, Savvy Defensive Generalists Define Versatile New Unit
Rhythm & Vengeance
Upon his return, Morant quickly reminded the world of his once-in-a-generation talent and dynamic ability. In his season debut vs the New Orleans Pelicans, Morant scored the game-winning bucket at the buzzer. Morant poured in 34 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished out eight assists on 50% shooting from the field. A couple weeks later Morant suffered a subluxation in his right shoulder during a practice session. Further examination revealed he would be required to undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum. The Grizzlies would end the regular season campaign with a record of 27-55 (21-52 without Ja Morant in the lineup). They missed the playoffs after three straight postseason appearances. Ja Morant would finish his brief 2023-24 campaign with averages of 25.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 8.1 assists on 47 FG% shooting.
Without Morant, there was no pathway for Memphis to come out of the West. Morant’s prolonged absence did give opportunities for others to step in and fill in voids from a production standpoint. Additionally, this allowed many players to develop other facets of their games. In fact, in the long run, those opportunities during a “lost season” would prove to be very beneficial and instrumental in the Grizzlies taking the necessary steps to establish themselves as a formidable West contender this upcoming season.
Ja’s Comments
Nevertheless, Ja and the Grizzlies are poised for a bounce-back season. Here’s what the star guard had to say about the past two years and the upcoming season.
“Everything the last two years, you know everything that I’ve experienced, everything that you know I’ve been through, you know I want to remember, know that feeling I felt each time no matter what situation it was, I felt like it helped me a lot, helped me grow, more into a better Ja. Right now, you know, probably the happiest I’ve been in a while.”
Blue Chippers
Desmond Bane
Throughout the rather underwhelming 27-55 campaign last season, notable foundational pieces Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. for the most part played up to their usual par. Despite the constant shuffling amongst Taylor Jenkins’ rotations, both co-stars showed flashes of progress in other areas of their games. Bane’s impressive individual game in 2023-24 can’t go too overlooked.
His career-high 27.3 USG% rate came as no surprise as he filled Morant’s void as the Grizzlies’ primary shot creator/decision maker. Bane posted career-bests in points per game (23.7) and assists (5.5) in 42 games last season. Bane was one of only two players last season to average at least 20 points, four rebounds, and five assists on shooting splits of at least 46/38/87 (Kyrie Irving) and led the Grizzlies in PER. The Grizzlies ranked dead last in the association in offensive rating, but Bane showed significant strides in the playmaking department.
According to Synergy Sports of NBA.com, amongst all players who had a usage rate of at least 27.3% in 2023-24, Bane was responsible for 30.3% of his team’s points scored. A higher percentage than that of Devin Booker (30.2%), Jayson Tatum (30.0%), De’Aaron Fox (29.9%), and LeBron James (29.3%). Bane’s 2.05 assist-to-turnover ratio was superior to that of Jayson Tatum (1.94), and Giannis Antetokounmpo (1.90). Bane also posted a higher assist percentage (27.2%) than Donovan Mitchell (26.8%), Tyrese Maxey (25.7%), and Stephen Curry (24.1%) last season. Bane’s vision and playmaking capabilities will be extremely valuable when the Grizzlies are in search of a shot during non-Ja stretches. For a team that’s been a top 14 offense in both 2022 & 2023, it’ll only bode well in the long run that the Grizzlies’ two featured star guards are very well capable of enhancing the players around them.
Jaren Jackson Jr.
2022-2023 Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. reached career highs in points per game (22.5), assists per game (2.3), and steals per game (1.2). Furthermore, he was the nucleus of a team that paced the 12th-best defense in the NBA. Jackson Jr. will get some additional help in the paint from intriguing first-round pick, center Zach Edey. Edey averaged at least 12 rebounds in both his junior and senior years as a Boilmaker. During Tuesday’s practice, Jackson Jr.’s hamstring flared on a drive toward the basket. Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins reported to the media after the Grizzlies’ practice session stating they expected the imaging to unveil a strain.
Next Grizzly Up
G.G. Jackson
Many would consider the 2023-2024 season a massive disappointment. However, there were a ton of bright spots that Taylor Jenkins can point to as formidable contributors that’ll round out his roster as a whole in the immediate future. Last season, Rookie forward G.G Jackson II averaged 14.6 points and 4.1 rebounds on 42.8% shooting from the field and 35.7% from deep in 48 games. In fact, the All-Rookie standout closed the regular season in impressive fashion, posting 20.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in his last 18 starts. The Grizzlies will be without their young versatile inside-out wing for the foreseeable future as he recovers from surgery to repair a broken fifth metatarsal in his right foot that he suffered during the offseason.
Marcus Smart
Veteran guard Marcus Smart will look to put together a lengthier campaign after injuries held him to just 20 appearances last season. Smart’s fit next to Morant is highly intriguing. The 2021-22 DPOY will have multiple defensive responsibilities defending both opposing guards and wings. In addition to his elite defense, Smart is a high-quality connective playmaker and solid spot-up shooter. Smart does all the little things well and will be a crucial glue guy for the Grizzlies.
Vince Williams
Third-year man out of VCU Vince Williams Jr. was simply one of the most impactful Grizzlies in 2023-24. Williams averaged 10 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 44/38/80 shooting splits in 52 games last season. In his last 33 starts, Williams put up 12.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.
Williams is a selfless utility wing that can defend a multitude of positions. Williams inevitably will impact the game in some shape or form. Whether it’s at the point of attack defensively, stretching the floor, or initiating offense. Amongst all Memphis Grizzlies to log in at least 1000 total minutes played last season, Williams finished with a team-best net rating. Williams’ production and valuable muti-facet toolbox will be a huge bargain going forward. Notably, he’s not owed more than $2.4 million a year from 2024-2027. There shouldn’t be much of a fall-off during non-Ja lineups and Williams has proven to be a foundation asset within the organization.
Scotty Pippen Jr.
Grizzlies point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. is currently fighting for a main roster spot. Pippen Jr. had a spectacular performance at the Las Vegas Summer League where he averaged 21 points a game. Last season Pippen Jr. put up 12.9 points and 4.7 assists in 25 appearances. He will look to compete for backup point guard minutes. With all the distractions now a thing of the past, can Taylor Jenkins make the most of potentially his most multi-faceted roster to date?
