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Memphis Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman addresses Ja Morant's injury status, offseason plans
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- Memphis Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman addresses Ja Morant's injury status, offseason plans
Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman spoke to reporters for the final time before what's expected to be a busy offseason.
It was certainly a busy regular season. Memphis set NBA records by using 33 players on the active roster and 51 different starting lineups.
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"It's going to be weird this week not signing more 10 days," Kleiman said.
The Grizzlies are projected to own a top-10 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft and two second-round picks. Memphis also has decisions to make on key players this offseason.
Here are five takeaways from Kleiman's comments on Monday morning.
Ja Morant injury update
Most of the Grizzlies injury concerns will be solved in a matter of weeks, according to Kleiman. Ja Morant is the only injured player who is expected to have more than a month of recovery time. Morant had surgery on a labral tear in his right shoulder in January and was given a recovery time of six months.
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Morant is currently on schedule in his recovery. He's expected to spend most of his time in Memphis rehabbing during the summer.
"I would say he is expected to be fully cleared for basketball activities maybe halfway through the offseason," Kleiman said. "... He's been very diligent with his work. He's been around the team pouring into that everyday."
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Memphis Grizzlies will add a big man
Jaren Jackson Jr. spent a lot of time at center during the second half of the season. Still, Kleiman said that was more about a developmental opportunity than a hint into a potential shift. Memphis wants to have the optionality of being able to play Jackson at center against certain teams, then be able to move him to power forward when that's the better option.
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"We are probably best positioned if Jaren is playing the five," Kleiman said. "From a roster-building standpoint, I think we see the value of having a more traditional or true big. We've seen Jaren successful in those type of lineups as well."
Memphis has a plethora of guards and wings on the roster, but frontcourt depth is a little more shallow after Memphis traded Xavier Tillman Sr. and Steven Adams . Center Trey Jemison is on a two-way contract that extends into next season, and Brandon Clarke performed well in his return.
Kleiman was purposeful about the Grizzlies' intent on adding a player at center. Even if it isn't someone the team expects to start, Memphis will bring in another potential rotation piece.
"I envision we'll add at least one big," Kleiman said. "Whether that's a starting big or a rotation big, I think we have some work to do on the roster there."
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"We're not trying to hide the ball on that," Kleiman later added.
Luke Kennard 's Grizzlies future unknown
One of the biggest questions remaining this offseason will be how the Grizzlies handle a $14.7 million team option on Luke Kennard. The 6-foot-5 wing has been one of the NBA's top shooters, but his high price tag combined with the expensive salaries of other key players puts the Grizzlies in an unfamiliar situation.
"Luke is someone we continue to feel strongly about," Kleiman said. "Someone who is important for this team and this NBA. We have decisions that we have to make on him coming up."
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Wing rotation
Memphis developed more wing depth this season after that being a top priority coming into the season. The emergence of Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson to go with Marcus Smart gives Memphis three different kinds of options to play alongside of Morant and Desmond Bane looking forward.
Kleiman sounds more confident in Williams' ability to take major steps forward, but it's clear both Williams and Jackson will get more opportunities.
"He is someone that we have confidence in to play a significant role," Kleiman said. "He can play different kinds of roles, but it will be significant next season."
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"GG's opportunity will be what is he ready for. We're certainly going to continue to push GG and challenge him We all see what GG is capable of doing."
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Memphis undecided on plans for draft pick
While Memphis is projected to have a top-10 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, Kleiman's comments suggest that the team has not made a decision on whether it wants to keep or shop the pick for a potential trade.
The Grizzlies are in a different situation than most teams picking in the lottery. When healthy, Memphis has proven to be one of the top teams in the NBA. If the Grizzlies return to that form next season, they likely won't rely on a rookie to be in a battle-tested rotation unless it's a player who is ready to play.
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"I think we're going to be open-minded on what we can do with that pick," Kleiman said.
How the Grizzlies address the draft will also play a role in their plans to add a big man.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman addresses offseason plans for team
