The Memphis Grizzlies will be tasked with integrating several first-year players onto the roster this season, but head coach Taylor Jenkins believes they will have the opportunity to play.
The Grizzlies drafted Jake LaRavia (19th pick), David Roddy (23rd), Kennedy Chandler (38th) and Vince Williams Jr. (47th) this year, while signing Kenneth Lofton Jr. They have all been with the team during summer league and, now, the preseason.
Jenkins likes what each player brings to the court.
I’ve loved what I’ve seen out of our rookies dating back to summer league, voluntary workouts and the preseason so far. These guys are getting opportunities. We’re trying to create a competitive preseason as much as possible. I love how all of these guys have versatility.
Obviously, Kennedy plays more of the point guard position but with Jake and David playing the three and four, that just gives us some optionality depending on what we need. Those guys are going to have their different strengths both offensively and defensively at the three and four.
The Grizzlies tied a franchise record last season with 56 wins en route to the second seed in the Western Conference. They ran out of steam in the conference semifinals after Ja Morant went down with a knee injury, but they look to improve upon that run this year.
With such high expectations, it isn’t certain how much playing time their rookies will see. Championship contenders often lean on their veterans instead of rookies, but Jenkins believes they will have chances to earn their place in the rotation.
I think these guys have pathways to play early in the season and we’ll just kind of play it from there. It has been competitive. Those guys have been soaking up a lot of information. Their heads were spinning a lot on the first day of training camp but they have really settled in with the extra sessions and the extra film work.
I think the vets have done a phenomenal job with their leadership of just putting these young guys under their wings and helping them understand what we’re doing. We’re trying to get up to speed quicker than we normally have in previous years and the vets have done a great job with the rookie class.
LaRavia leads the group with 8.3 points per game in three preseason appearances, while Roddy is averaging eight points and 3.5 rebounds. There is a drop-off after them. Chandler and Williams are averaging 3.7 points and three points, respectively.
The team is certainly prioritizing minutes for LaRavia and Roddy given their versatility in the lineup, as Jenkins has said. They seem to have the best chance of cracking the rotation early, but that could change due to injuries and other factors.
Overall, the group has impressed Jenkins.
I love their performances already. Their playmaking ability, shot-making ability but their versatility defensively. I think understanding the team concept defensively has probably been the biggest thing for rookies to grasp and they’re doing a great job.
The team will have plenty of time to work out its rotations and playing time for the rookie class. Jenkins could eventually have some tough decisions to figure out, but that likely isn’t a bad thing with so many young guys performing at a high level.
Memphis wraps up the preseason on Thursday with the Detroit Pistons.
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