Are the Grizzlies still one piece away from being a championship team?

Building a championship roster is not an overnight project. It requires patience and resources – forcing front offices across the association to allocate time to scouting talent. A mid-season acquisition can transform a pretender into a contending team. While players prepare for All-Star weekend, the coaching staff will work on taking advantage of the NBA trade deadline. An additional role player on the roster could equate to huge improvements for teams like the Memphis Grizzlies – looking to solidify a meaningful playoff run.

A new culture in Memphis has taken the Conference by surprise. Taylor Jenkins’ squad sits in the top tier of the West – a continuation of last year. Explosive performances from Ja Morant are expected, and keep the ball club above water. Contributions from Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson make playoff relevance. As the trade deadline approaches, will the Grizzlies need additional pieces to make a championship run?

NBA: Memphis Grizzlies developed their supporting cast

The climb to the top of the West was rough, but the Grizzlies remained persistent. In 2020, Memphis finished the regular season ranked as the eighth-best franchise in the Conference – two spots shy of playoff contention.

At that time, the roster looked different. Kyle Anderson and Jonas Valanciunas were two of the teams leading scorers. Ja Morant led Memphis in scoring (19.1) but failed to take the ball club to the next level.

Improvements to the roster give Memphis a better chance to compete in 2021. Their role players developed over the off-season and were ready to earn a prominent role. Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Dillon Brooks improved from the previous season, displaying a new level of confidence on the court. Their hard work improved their stat line, resulting in additional minutes.

NBA: The Memphis Grizzlies will become a powerhouse in the Western Conference.

An impressive effort from a special supporting cast has made Memphis a team to watch in the Western Conference. Each player accepts his role on the hardwood, displaying efficient teamwork thus far in the season. Taylor Jenkins’ philosophy of limiting easy points and attacking the defensive glass helps the Grizzlies win. Memphis ranks first in rebounds per game (49.0), second in blocks (6.0), and second in points differential (+4.6), making it hard for opposing teams to score easy baskets. The defense holds them together as the offense looks for ways to improve.

Offensive struggles are the only downside to Memphis’ roster. The Grizzlies rank eighteenth in field goal percentage (47%) and twenty-first in three-point percentage (34.9). Ja Morant is the leading scorer, ranking tenth in the league in points per game (27.2).

Without Morant, the Grizzlies must rely on their role players to add points to their scoreboard. A 133-100 loss to the Sacramento Kings exposed Memphis’ lack of snipers, costing the team a conference loss. Desmond Bane finished as the team’s leading scorer (21), but his effort was not enough to defeat their opponents.

Acquiring a shooter that can stretch the floor in Morant’s absence would help Memphis in its journey to the NBA playoffs. Taylor Jenkins has a solid roster, with players willing to defend against tough opponents.

Bringing in a sniper, such as OG Anunoby or Eric Gordon, would be the best move, as it would free up driving lanes for Jackson, Morant, and Bane. The Grizzlies have until February 9th to bring in a player that could have an immediate impact.