Grizzlies projected lineup and rotations heading into 2023-24 season
Memphis Grizzlies starting shooting guard: Desmond Bane
Desmond Bane went from being the last pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft to receiving a five-year, $207 million extension after his first three seasons with the Grizzlies. Last season Bane averaged 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists, (all career highs) on 48/41/88 splits.
As the second-best offensive player on this team, Bane is the perfect shooting guard to have alongside Ja Morant and Marcus Smart when he’s starting. Bane has one of the highest three-point shooting percentages of all time, which more than makes up for Morant and Smart’s inconsistent shooting.
On top of his great three-point shooting ability, Bane’s playmaking ability has gotten better year after year. He can momentarily take over the playmaking responsibility for this team. The more Bane has played, he has become better at scoring at the basket which will allow him to get easy buckets on fast break opportunities and back door cuts.
Bane stands at 6-foot-5 and has a fairly sturdy build. He is a pretty solid defender. His defensive ability allows him to complement the Grizzlies’ point guards perfectly.
Grizzlies primary backup shooting guard: Luke Kennard
Last season the Grizzlies received Luke Kennard in a three-team trade with the Rockets and Clippers where they only gave up a second round pick. That was an absolute steal because in his 24 games with the Grizzlies Kennard averaged 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists on 53/54/95 splits.
For the last two seasons Kennard has led the NBA in three-point shooting percentage and has the fifth-highest three-point shooting percentage in NBA history. His career three-point shooting in the playoffs is no joke either as he shootings 46 percent from three in the postseason.
Kennards elite ability to take and make a high percentage of his three-point shots makes him the prototypical role player in today’s NBA while also being a serviceable defender. Having him more than makes up for the lack of three-point shooting they have at other spots on the court.
Others who could receive minutes: Marcus Smart and Josh Christopher
Josh Christopher is still a very young player but there is a possibility he is able to earn some minutes.. It is very easy to say that if everyone in the lineup stays healthy that he won’t receive many minutes. In the absence of Morant, the guard rotation will be available to anyone who plays well enough to earn a spot.
Even if he can’t earn minutes as a shooting guard, the Grizzlies do lack depth at their small forward spot and he is big enough to play as a small forward for this team.