The season looks complicated for the Memphis Grizzlies before the ball even starts rolling. Without two-time All-Star Ja Morant, serving a 25-game suspension, they will also be without Steven Adams, with a cruciate ligament injury. Adams, who broke it in January, will have to undergo surgery after conservative treatment with his knee failed and will miss the entire season.
His absence could open the doors to the Spanish Santi Aldama. Either by managing to find a place in the starting quintet, or by being able to add more minutes as a replacement. During the months that Adams has been out of combat, Xavier Tillman has been the one who has taken his place, but his performance has been very irregular.
Without the New Zealand pivot, Taylor Jenkins' team has to look for a competitive alternative for its interior game in which Brandon Clarke is not yet available, with an Achilles tendon injury since spring, but with no return date at the moment. Which leaves the coach with few options, who only has Jaren Jackson Jr and David Roddy in addition to Tillman and Aldama, so this could be a golden opportunity for the Canary Islander.
The Grizzlies, who had a great year last season with 51 wins and 31 losses, but the Lakers ended their dream in the playoffs. This year they will have to fight against absences like those of Adams or Clarke and they will also not be able to count on Ja Morant, who is serving a harsh 25-game ban for the controversial videos of him showing himself carrying a weapon on repeated occasions.
The 2023-24 NBA season starts early Tuesday through Wednesday with the Memphis Grizzlies facing the New Orleans Pelicans to kick off the new season.
