Memphis Grizzlies: 5 takeaways from the first week of preseason

1. No one has grabbed the starting shooting guard spot

The competition for the starting shooting guard spot was arguably the Grizzlies’ most compelling storyline entering the preseason. That hasn’t changed. Ben McLemore, the presumptive starter, will be sidelined with injuries until several weeks into the regular season, and not one player on the team’s roster has played well enough to fill the vacuum his absence has created.

The Grizzlies could try out Tyreke Evans with the starting unit, but are more likely to keep him in the bench role they envision for him long-term. That leaves Wayne Selden, Wade Baldwin and Dillon Brooks as the remaining candidates.

Of those three, Selden and Brooks have shown flashes of competence. Baldwin has struggled significantly. None has done enough to inspire confidence in their ability to function as a starter. That’s okay. The Grizzlies still have three more preseason games, and also have all the historical data points (in college and the NBA) of each player to consider in making their final decision.

Next: 10 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

Selden seems like the frontrunner at this point, but this is certainly something to keep an eye on.