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3 Key Rotation Players, Including 2 Starters, To Miss Start Of Regular Season, How Will Grizzlies Replace Them?

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Daniel Benjamin | Last updated Sep 27, 2025 6:25 PM ET

The Memphis Grizzlies had a nice bounce-back campaign in 2024-25. One year after having their season ravaged by injuries, the Grizzlies won 48 games and earned the No. 8 seed in the West Conference despite star guard Ja Morant missing 32 games. However, if the Grizzlies are to come close to replicating their success this season, they will need to overcome being shorthanded up front early in the season.

4 Grizzlies Competing For 2 Starting Frontcourt Spots?

Memphis officially begins a new era. While the Grizzlies officially started the process late last year, by replacing Taylor Jenkins after six years at the helm with Finnish national Tuomas Iisalo. Iisalo went 4-9 after taking over the helm on an interim basis and 0-4 in the playoffs. The Grizzlies also sent Desmond Bane to Orlando and dealt Jay Huff to Indiana.

Memphis signed Ty Jerome as a free agent and received Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in the Bane trade. The Grizzlies also re-signed Santi Aldama, brought in Jock Landale, and drafted Cedric Coward.

Memphis was one of the deeper teams last year. The Grizzlies, who liked to play at a breakneck speed, were also an excellent shooting squad. The Grizzlies were also an outstanding offensive rebounding squad. Defensively, they did a fantastic job keeping their opponents off the free-throw line.

“Memphis is resetting things a little with the structure of its books by sending away Bane,” Zach Harper of The Athletic said. “It’ll sacrifice on the court for now, but the Grizzlies can now figure out what this team looks like and how that gets structured with Tuomas Iisalo running the sidelines. They get to do that while bringing in all of that draft capital to use either as cost-effective roster additions (and this team is really good at identifying young talent) or in trades to bring in help for Morant and Jackson. It’s a step down for now, but it’s a good look toward the future.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. Among the Three Players To Miss The Start Of The Season

Morant, when healthy, is still one of the most explosive players in the game. Jaren Jackson Jr. is also one of the top two-way power forwards in the game. But the 26-year-old is one of three frontcourt players who won’t be ready for the start of the regular season.

According to a Grizzlies press release yesterday, Jackson Jr. is still recovering from toe surgery in June. The Griz said he is slated to be sidelined for four to six more weeks. Therefore, he is expected to miss at least the first week of the season, though he should be able to return shortly thereafter. The Grizzlies play six games between opening night, October 22, and October 31, starting at home against New Orleans.

Starting center Zach Edey will also miss the start. Like Jackson Jr., the All-Rookie first team selection underwent surgery in June, though his operation was on his left ankle. Edey has been cleared to ramp up his basketball activities, though he is not slated to make his 2025-26 debut until at least November 9 and the end of November. That means that the 7-4 center projects to miss between the first 10-to-20 games.

Key reserve Brandon Clarke is the third big man who will miss time this upcoming season. ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news that Clarke, whose season was cut short in March due to a PCL sprain, is undergoing an arthroscopic procedure to address synovitis in his right knee. Charania said that the 29-year-old forward is expected to be re-evaluated in 6 weeks.

On a positive note, Coward is expected to participate fully in training camp. He hasn’t played since injuring his shoulder in November at Washington State.

How Will The Grizzlies’ Revamped Frontcourt Look?

Now the big question is how will Iisalo replace the production lost from the injured players?

Memphis has 15 players on standard contracts, all of which are guaranteed, with a cap hit of nearly $174 million. Thus, the Grizzlies are about $14 million under the luxury tax line and could sign a big man free agent without any real ramifications. However, don’t expect the Griz to make a significant trade.

Aldama should fill in one of the two starting spots. Aldama, who has been a spot starter throughout his first four seasons, is coming off a year. He averaged 12.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 65 games, including 25 starts. He knocked down a career-best 1.8 threes while shooting 48.3/36.8/69.1. The 24-year-old also scored 20 points on 10 occassions and produced 10 double-doubles.

The Grizzlies will likely have an open competition for the other starting spot. GG Jackson II and Jaylen Wells seem to be the most logical options. Injuries throughout his young career have plagued Jackson II, though he did earn All-Rookie second team honors in 2023-24. However, he was limited to 29 games last season and wasn’t nearly as efficient. Still, the 20-year-old has enormous potential and had a solid summer league session.

Wells is probably better suited on the wing. The 22-year-old 2024 draft pick, known for his shooting ability, had a solid rookie season, starting most of the year at small forward. He scored in double-figures in 42 of 74 games, scoring 20 points four times, and producing one double-double.

What About The Bigs Off The Bench?

Former first-round pick Olivier Maxence-Prosper could also get a look at the starting power forward job by Iisalo. Prosper, known for his length and defense, signed a two-way deal with the Grizzlies a few days after getting waived by Dallas on August 29. The 23-year-old showed improvement last year after not seeing a ton of action as a rookie. He averaged 3.9 points and 2.4 boards in 12 minutes over 51 contests for the Mavericks.

Regardless of whether Jackson II or Prosper earns the starting nod, they are both primed to have an increased role at least until Jackson Jr. returns. Still, Iisalo will need to figure out who his main big reserves are.

Landale is a long shot to earn a starting job. However, the 29-year-old Australian is a solid veteran off the bench. He is an excellent offensive rebounder and a physical defender in the low post. He should get at least a few more minutes than expected with the three bigs out.

PJ Hall, who is also on a two-way deal, figures to get some time with the Grizzlies while Jackson Jr. and Edey are out. Hall saw 66 minutes over 19 appearances for the Nuggets last year. The 6-10 forward thrived in the G-League, averaging a double-double, and played well with Charlotte during the summer league.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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