The Memphis Grizzlies are healthier than usual.
But they aren’t going into the new NBA season at full strength.
When the Grizzlies open their season at home on Wednesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans, they’ll be one big piece missing: Zach Edey.
The gargantuan center is out for at least a little while due to injury, and so the Grizzlies have to figure out their rotation a bit.
The Grizzlies have four sure-thing starters: Ja Morant, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Jaylen Wells and Jaren Jackson Jr.
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From there, there’s a decision to be made.
The Grizzlies basically have two options, and they depend on whether Jackson plays power forward or center.
If the Grizzlies leave Jackson at the 4, then they’ll start Jock Landale at center.
If the Grizzlies slide Jackson to the 5 with no Edey, it’d make space in the starting lineup for Santi Aldama.
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The Grizzlies are also without Vince Williams Jr. due to injury. Otherwise, he could’ve contributed to a lineup with four small guys around Jackson.
Memphis also has a talented rookie wing, Cedric Coward, set for his NBA debut, but he seems primed to come off the bench.
There isn’t a ton of interior depth for the opener behind Jackson, Aldama and Landale. GG Jackson could see time at power forward, and Jackson may have no choice but to see big minutes on opening night.
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