The Grizzlies have too many wings. Here's how they can address the logjam in the offseason

Jake LaRavia pulled moves out of his bag on Wednesday night that many Memphis Grizzlies fans didn’t know he had. The 6-foot-7 forward dribbled the ball behind his back and sent Cleveland Cavaliers defender Isaac Okoro stumbling to the ground. LaRavia then knocked down an off-balance 3-pointer as another Cavs defender contested the shot.

LaRavia’s career-high 32 points wasn’t enough in the Grizzlies’ 110-98 loss to the Cavs on Wednesday night, but it was enough to remind fans of an intriguing logjam on the wing.

The logjam hasn’t mattered this season because of injuries, but it’s one of the biggest challenges the Grizzlies will face heading into the offseason.

There’s the need the address the center spot, but Memphis can still feel good about what it has seen from Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke. Considering Santi Aldama’s shooting was a major reason Memphis elected not to bring back Kyle Anderson two summers ago, the 6-11 big man did his job by splashing 1.7 3-pointers per game.

At point guard, Ja Morant is one of the best in the NBA, and Marcus Smart has played most of his career there. Derrick Rose and Scotty Pippen Jr. should provide solid depth if they’re not asked to do too much.

But the situation on the wing is much different. Desmond Bane, Luke Kennard and Vince Williams Jr. have proven that they deserve to be in a potential rotation next season. This doesn’t include Smart, who played most of his minutes on the wing when Morant was in the starting lineup this season.

Factoring in those four players, there are only so many minutes to go around. The problem is Memphis still has GG Jackson, John Konchar, Ziaire Williams and LaRavia all under contract heading into next season. Yuta Watanabe also has a player option that he can pick up. Lamar Stevens is entering free agency.

Grizzlies roster breakdown

Two seasons ago, the Grizzlies kept six players on the 15-man roster who primarily played shooting guard or small forward. Last season, that number increased to seven. That’s also where Memphis started this season.

At this moment, the Grizzlies are projected to go into next season with eight players under contract who can fit into that description. If Watanabe picks up his option, that number would move to a staggering nine of 15 spots.

There would need to be movement on the roster through a trade or waiving a player to get that number down.

Wing versatility

One reason Memphis has stockpiled wings over the past two seasons is for added versatility. Many of the aforementioned players can play multiple positions, and that makes future decisions easier.

GG Jackson, for example, has seen many minutes at power forward and likely profiles there better as he gets stronger. LaRavia’s size and rebounding also allow him to hold his own against bigger forwards. Konchar, Smart, Williams, Bane and Kennard have all seen minutes as primary ball handlers this season.

If Memphis has to keep eight wings, the good part would be that many of those players can make up the depth issues that would be created at point guard and power forward.

What to watch for this offseason

Kennard has a $14.7 million team option after the season. All signs point to Memphis picking that up, but it is something to note like Watanabe’s player option.

Ziaire Williams will enter the final year of his contract next season. During the past two years, that has been when the Grizzlies have looked to offload moveable contracts. Tyus Jones and Steven Adams were both traded in the past 12 months before the last year of their contracts.

Memphis also traded David Roddy before the trade deadline in February after he was a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. LaRavia was also a first-round pick for the Grizzlies in that draft.