Grizzlies’ depth chart looks set
Solomon Hill said before Grizzlies training camp began that the way to stay prepared for life in the NBA is to keep a bag next to the door.
“It’s always changing,” Hill said. Maybe now Hill can let his guard down for a few months.
Barring an unforeseen Monday trade, the Grizzlies set their 15-man roster for Wednesday’s season opener at Miami when they waived Ivan Rabb and Miles Plumlee over the weekend.
Hill, a six-year NBA veteran, survived
the Grizzlies' roster crunch after arriving in Memphis this summer with Plumlee in the Chandler Parsons trade.
The Grizzlies' front office appreciated Hill's play in the preseason and his veteran presence in a locker room full of young players. Those traits might have earned him the final spot on the 15-man roster.
Here is the projected Grizzlies' depth chart entering Wednesday's season opener (6:30 p.m., Fox Sports Southeast):
Ja Morant: Grab your popcorn because Morant is fun to watch. The No. 2 overall pick dished out 29 assists in the preseason.
Tyus Jones: The sure-handed backup point guard seems to be embracing his role.
Dillon Brooks: Brooks put up inconsistent numbers in the preseason. But he might have done enough to secure the starting job on opening night.
Grayson Allen: The former Duke villain lit up a pair of international professional teams in the Grizzlies' first two preseason games. He was quiet after that, but he's on the roster and should have an early opportunity to play serious minutes at backup point guard. Marko Guduric: The Serbian sharpshooter made just three of 15 3-pointers in the preseason. Shooting is his specialty, but he performed adequately enough in other aspects of the game to be part of the team's early rotation on the wing.
Solomon Hill: There might not be a clear role for Hill to begin the season. But his ability to play power forward and on the wing should allow Hill to get some playing time.
Jaren Jackson Jr.: The Grizzlies' budding second-year star struggled some in the preseason. It might take him time to get comfortable in Jenkins' system.
Brandon Clarke: The No. 21 overall draft pick finished the preseason with back-to-back double-doubles and should be a mainstay on the court as a rookie.
Kyle Anderson: Anderson played in the last four preseason games after sitting out the first one because of lingering issues with his shoulder. He is still working back into game shape. So long as Anderson remains healthy, he is versatile enough to find a spot in Jenkins' rotation.
Jonas Valanciunas: The Grizzlies' front office remains optimistic that Valanciunas (sore foot) will be ready to play in Wednesday's season opener.
Bruno Caboclo: Caboclo looked shaky defensively as a backup center during preseason play. But as long as he's hitting some 3-pointers, he should see the floor fairly often. to Hustle games as he tries to get his career back on track.
De'anthony Melton: The second-year guard is still on the mend from a back injury. Expect Melton to get a chance at shooting guard when he's ready.
Andre Iguodala: Iguodala remains away from the team as the Grizzlies wait for trade offers to trickle in. John Konchar: The undrafted rookie
grabbed 20 rebounds and scored eight points in 36 minutes of preseason action. Expect Konchar to stuff stat sheets with the Memphis Hustle this season.
Yuta Watanabe: The second-year forward had a quiet preseason but is in line for a breakout season in the G-league after a summer spent getting stronger and playing in the FIBA World Cup.
Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Davidwcobb.