Bargain Starters, Volatile Health, And Really Working The Tailspins

The Grizzlies Volatile Health

• 58.0% of their salary cap is allocated to injured players / 5 of their top 6 highest contracted players have missed at least 5 games / $92.0 million dollars not playing

First it was Brandon Clarke’s Achilles injury towards the end of last season. Then Ja Morant’s suspension. Followed by Steven Adams season-ending surgery. And that was before the season even started.

It wouldn’t be long before Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart found their way to the injury report, as well. For those keeping track at home that’s five of the top seven guys on the roster in talent terms. And five of the top six in contract terms.

Meaning five of the most expensive player contracts on the roster weren’t playing. Now, it has gotten so bad that the league awarded Memphis two additional hardship 10-day contracts. Even the league itself knows we’re hurting.

For context, no other team had five high-money guys missing time. One other team—the Pistons—had four players miss games… But their combined salaries wouldn’t even be top five if we ranked all the league’s injured money by team. Otherwise? The other 28 teams would only have three players or fewer with this designation.

If you get down to the literal brass tax of it all, Memphis would lead all teams in the league. When it comes down to the salary cap amount allocated to players missing five or more games this season, no other team crests $90 million.

All this amounts to a higher-than-usual number of guys making an exhorbitant amount of money… Who aren’t actually playing basketball. Overcoming the loss of one—even two—player(s) is sometimes achievable, but five? That’s going to have you a few steps back the entire season. Which is… you know, never what you want.

The Grizzlies Inexpensive Starters

• 25.7% of their salary cap allocated to current starters / 4 of their current 5 starters are making $5.0 million or less this year / $40.8 million dollars starting

So, where does that leave Memphis for the foreseeable future? Other than a few steps behind everyone else in the league? Well… it leaves them with doing their best with the hand they’ve been dealt. Which, of course, is a lot easier said than done.

The Grizzlies are doing their damndest, though. Now, what all has that included? For starters, you’ll notice a plethora of rookie scale contracts on the roster.

Which shouldn’t surprise you.

Up until recently Memphis has been one of the youngest teams in the league. In fact, there’s only a single player on the roster with more than five years of NBA experience. At least, who has avoided injury thus far. That designation belongs to Bismack Biyombo, who, may I remind you, wasn’t on the roster until November 2nd.

Otherwise, the players receiving the majority of minutes remain on rookie deals. Des, Santi, Z, X, Junior are all still on their first NBA contract. Others like Jaren and ‘Jitty’ are on their rookie extensions. Oh, and their most consistent starting point guard is on a Two-Way contract.

So, what does any of that mean? Well, for starters, it means Memphis has one of the lowest amounts of payroll dedicated to dudes #1-5. Only $40.8 million to be exact. Considering Memphis has over $90 million worth of starters’ money on a healthy day… Yikes.

Well, it gets a little easier to see where that 3-12 record comes from, doesn’t it? Now, as soon as guys start getting healthy, this number stands to increase. Until then, though, Memphis has done about as admirable a job as anyone.

It has not equated to wins so far, but that $40.8 million dollar starting lineup? They’ve fought tooth and nail night in and night out. And isn’t that what you want? For your guys to not roll over against much better competition?

The Grizzlies Tailspin

• ’21-’22 Season, 9-6 through the first 15 games, 6-3 at the Forum / ’22-’23 Season, 8-7 through the first 15 games, 5-1 at the Forum / ’23-’24 Season, 3-12 through the first 15 games, 0-8 at the Forum

And so… How did it come to this?

A ravaged roster and below average lineup combinations are a good place to start. In fact, no other team comes close. When it comes to injured players and the money they’re using to filed a starting lineup… There’s only one team I would say that comes close to Memphis in those terms.

Detroit. And the Pistons couldn’t be on further ends of the spectrum.

Memphis is a team ready to contend for a title, when healthy; Detroit is still rebuilding. Their injuries and payroll make sense. The Grizzlies does not.

Time will tell if, upon the arrival of reinforcements, it will be too little to late. When Morant returns, Memphis will be back to—almost—full strength. There’s a chance it won’t be enough.

I don’t know about y’all…

But for me? There’s loads of peace in knowing.

Photo Credit: (Brandon Dill/AP Photo)