The Memphis Grizzlies are a week away from heading to Nashville’s Belmont University on Sept. 29 for a four-day training camp ahead of preseason basketball.
Training camp is different from typical practices. The sessions are often more intense, and they provide the first opportunity for Grizzlies coaches to evaluate lineup combinations and position battles.
The Grizzlies have a roster filled with depth, meaning tough decisions will have to be made. The team could go in several directions with its potential rotations and the starting lineup. Some players will get the short end of the stick, but that’s more of a good problem for the team than anything else.
A revamped roster means competition. Some players are back in Memphis hoping to take advantage
of opportunities for increased playing time, while others are arriving with hopes of making the most of a new opportunity.
Here are three position battles that stand out ahead of Grizzlies training camp.
Starting point guard
This figures to be a two-player battle to replace Ja Morant, with two options who play drastically different styles.
Ty Jerome is more of an offensive-minded player who can score and facilitate in bunches, while Scotty Pippen Jr. is a defensive-minded guard who is also a talented scorer but has dealt with turnover issues during his career.
Jerome provides more offensive firepower. His shooting would add another element to the lineup; Pippen’s presence could give Memphis another strong perimeter defender.
This battle could ultimately come down to preference. Does Memphis want to prioritize Jerome's offensive repertoire or Pippen's ability to elevate the defense?
Both players could share the floor in closing situations, but the starting point guard figures to receive more minutes.
Jaylen Wells or Jerami Grant?
Jaylen Wells arrived in Memphis as a 2024 second-round pick with relatively low expectations. It didn’t take long for the coaching staff to determine he belonged in the starting lineup. Since then, he has remained a fixture in the starting group.
When Memphis traded Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers, it acquired forward Jerami Grant, a talented scorer with 12 seasons of NBA experience.
With Cedric Coward, Cam Boozer and Zach Edey expected to occupy three of the other starting spots, a battle could be brewing between Wells and Grant for the final position.
Wells has played solid basketball as a starter, but he still has room to grow as a playmaker and offensive creator. Grant, meanwhile, has spent more of his career at power forward than small forward, adding another layer to the potential competition.
As with the point guard battle, the decision could come down to what Memphis wants from the lineup. Grant would provide more offensive experience and scoring, while Wells offers youth, size and defensive ability.
Backup power forward
The backup power forward spot hasn’t received much attention, with Boozer expected to occupy the starting position. However, the Grizzlies didn’t just lose former starter Jaren Jackson Jr. in a trade this year. They also traded his primary backup, Santi Aldama.
Memphis will likely look to establish a 10-man rotation early in the season. The loser of the point guard battle and potentially the Wells-Grant competition could remain in the rotation. The center position is relatively settled, while Cam Spencer is coming off a strong season and should be in the mix for minutes.
That leaves the backup power forward spot.
GG Jackson is the most obvious candidate, but Taylor Hendricks, Olivier-Maxence Prosper and even first-round pick Karim Lopez could compete for minutes.
Training camp should provide the first real indication of how the Grizzlies plan to distribute those.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Three Memphis Grizzlies position battles to watch at training camp
