3 adjustments the Memphis Grizzlies have to make without Ja Morant

Adjustment 3: Bench changes and can the Grizzlies make the playoffs?

The Memphis Grizzlies’ only remaining “point” guard is De’Anthony Melton.

Melton is a menace defensively and averaged 2.9 assists per game last season, however, he is not currently with the team due to COVID Health and Safety Protocols. Which leaves the Grizzlies backup point guard for the short term is a complete mystery.

Grayson Allen could possibly be taken out of the starting lineup (possibly replace him with Desmond Bane) and move him to the backup point guard until Melton returns, Allen is currently averaging 2.7 assists this season and in his last year in college, he averaged 4.6 assists per game.

Another solution to help the bench while it misses Jones is to focus the unit solely around Brandon Clarke. He’s a dynamic scorer and a starting-caliber player, but for the Grizzlies his production will be needed on the bench.

The Memphis Grizzlies playoff hopes

The Grizzlies by no fault of their own, got worse this season. They finished ninth last season in the Western Conference standings, and three teams who were below them last season improved over the offseason — those teams being the Phoenix Suns, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Golden State Warriors.

There’s only one team who was above the Grizzlies last season who got worse, being the OKC Thunder – more teams are fighting for the playoffs and then there is leaving the playoff picture.

The Grizzlies have been extremely dependent on Ja Morant, especially in this first week without Jaren Jackson Jr. With Jackson having no clear timeline to return, and Morant possibly missing up to a month with this injury their playoff hopes are likely done.

The Grizzlies aren’t an organization that tanks. In their transitional 2018-19 season where they traded Marc Gasol at the trade deadline, they tried to remain competitive finishing the season with a 33-49 record.

On the bright side, the Memphis Grizzlies get the benefits of the new lottery reform. 

The Grizzlies won’t be the worst team in the West by the end of the season but they will be in the #1 Draft pick sweepstakes — while still be able to play competitively and play their best players, and helping the development of their exciting young core, and possibly adding another one in the 2021 NBA Draft.