The Potential Impact of Ja Morant’s Absence on the Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies have won the Southwest Division the last two seasons, but their dominance may be coming to an end in 2023-24. The Western Conference is stacked with strong teams, making it difficult for the Grizzlies to maintain their position at the top. Teams like the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Dallas Mavericks have all made significant improvements to their rosters. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are faced with the challenge of playing without Ja Morant, who will serve a 25-game suspension at the beginning of the season.

Morant’s suspension was a result of off-court issues he had after last season. The Grizzlies tried to compensate for his absence by adding Marcus Smart, the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, to their roster. However, they also lost key role players such as Tyus Jones and Dillon Brooks in free agency. Additionally, Brandon Clarke is recovering from an Achilles injury. Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane will have to step up and lead the team during Morant’s absence. But the Grizzlies still have some uncertainties in other positions.

Although Smart will likely contribute as a defensive anchor and playmaker, the Grizzlies lack depth at the point guard position. Derrick Rose is expected to be the backup, but he struggled with the New York Knicks last season. His performance was inconsistent, and it remains to be seen how much he can contribute to the team. Without a reliable backup, the Grizzlies may face challenges in fulfilling their championship aspirations.

Dillon Brooks, who was a second-team All-NBA defender last season, will also be missed on the defensive end. While John Konchar or Luke Kennard can fill in for him, they may struggle against top-tier small forwards like LeBron James, Jayson Tatum, and Kawhi Leonard. The Grizzlies’ weaknesses in defending against these players may become more apparent throughout the season. Despite having Jaren Jackson Jr. as a premier rim protector, the Grizzlies may face difficulties against opposing small forwards.

The Grizzlies managed without Morant during the 2021-22 season, posting a 20-5 record. However, they struggled without him last season, winning only 11 out of 21 games. Their wins were mostly against teams that didn’t make the playoffs. This season, their schedule will be much tougher, facing stronger teams like the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns multiple times. The Grizzlies will face a challenging 25-game stretch before Morant’s expected return on December 19.

It’s clear that the Grizzlies will face an uphill battle without Morant. He will need time to get back into rhythm after his suspension, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the team needs to make significant changes to compensate for his absence. Although the Grizzlies are still favored to win the Southwest Division, the Dallas Mavericks may pose a strong challenge.