Memphis been here before. Leaves start falling, bodies start healing, and the city asks its stars to hold the line a little longer. Brandon Clarke going in for an arthroscopic procedure on knee synovitis means six weeks before we even talk about a return. Stack that on Jaren Jackson Jr. sidelined with a toe issue for roughly a month and Zach Edey out another month or two as he ramps back from ankle surgery, and you can feel the weight shift to Ja Morant before the ball even tips.
This is where a roster’s soul shows. Santi Aldama has to be more than a stretch option. GG Jackson has to rebound like rent is due. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope brings order on the wing after the Bane deal, but the paint is where the questions live. Memphis can steal minutes with Aldama at the five and switch everything, yet there will be nights when second shots and rim protection test patience. That Bane trade brought KCP and Cole Anthony plus picks, which helps the guard room and spacing, but it did not add size.
New head coach Tuomas Iisalo believes in movement, touch decisions, and five men playing to the same rhythm. That can lighten the big-man burden if the ball never sticks. Early on, that probably looks like Ja drawing two, spraying to shooters, and Jaren’s eventual return restoring the interior math. If the group floats around .500 while the front line gets right, Memphis will have done its job. Once Jaren is back timing his contests and Clarke is flying again, those small-ball reps become a weapon instead of a patch.
Memphis hoop has always been a patient stew. Let it simmer. Let the young bigs learn the bruises. The Grizzlies are asking the city for a little faith in October so it can cash it in around March. That’s a trade this town understands.
