With a healthy Ja Morant returning and key pieces like Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, the Grizzlies have the talent to make noise. They also added 7-foot-4 rookie Zach Edey, who should take pressure off Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt. However, despite these positives, it’s unclear if this bounce-back season will push them to the top of the standings again. The Western Conference is as stacked as ever, and securing a top seed might be a stretch.
The Grizzlies have a strong defensive core, with Jackson Jr. just a season removed from being Defensive Player of the Year, and Smart, another former DPOY, bringing more grit to the backcourt. Bane is evolving into one of the best three-point shooters in the league, and if he stays healthy, his shooting and playmaking could make a huge difference. Memphis also has a solid rotation of role players like Luke Kennard, who was the second-best three-point shooter last season, and versatile young talent in Santi Aldama, GG Jackson, and Brandon Clarke.