After a quiet offseason, what does the Memphis Grizzlies 2020-2021 starting lineup look like going into the NBA season?
The Memphis Grizzlies had a quiet offseason compared to the rest of the league, the most notable moves being: Re-signing De’Anthony Melton to a four-year $35 million contract and drafting Desmond Bane with the 30th overall pick.
Last season saw the Grizzlies finish ninth in the Western Conference standings, finishing with a 34-39 record. Their last game was a loss to the Portland Trail Blazer in the NBA “play-in” game.
It’s hard to be crucial of the Grizzlies’ run in the NBA bubble because they lost three players due to injury; Jaren Jackson Jr., Tyus Jones plus trade-line acquisition Justise Winslow — who never suited up for the Grizzlies last season.
Tyus Jones missed the bubble due to knee soreness, Justice Winslow injured his hip in a practice in the bubble and Jaren Jackon Jr. tore his meniscus in his third game back – leaving the Grizzlies forced to start Anthony Tolliver and Kyle Anderson and play them a combined 50 minutes in the play-in.
The start of the season will be shaky as head coach Taylor Jenkins has stressed that Winslow and Jackson will not be rushed to play at the start of the season.
In the Pre-Training Camp Media Availability Jenkins was also quoted as saying:
"“As you said, make health a priority… I think that’s going to be a priority going into the season”"
All this being said, it’s implied that we will not see the best Grizzlies starting line-up on the teams opening night. That being said, let’s rank what the projected healthy Memphis Grizzlies starting lineup would look like.