And now the Grizzlies have to replace Steven Adams

The Memphis Grizzlies will now be without Steven Adams for the 2023-24 season. A crushing blow that leads to questions on how to address the absence.

Oct 22, 2023

Grim Sunday news hit the timeline, as the Memphis Grizzlies put out the following press release:

Grizzlies Center Steven Adams will undergo season-ending surgery on his right posterior cruciate ligament, after non-operative rehabilitation did not resolve ongoing knee instability. Adams is expected to make a full recovery ahead of next season.

If we set the over/under at how many expletives Grizzlies fans averaged with this news at 5.5, is that too low? Easiest over in 2023?

Optimism and pessimism blended over the past few weeks stirred with Steven Adams’ knee injury recovery. Caution loomed over all of it — from Adams saying it’s “irresponsible” to suggest if he’s good to play a game before preseason, to resting a couple games the past few weeks. It was initially encouraging to see him play without much setbacks. And the biggest setback of all resulted.

Season-ending knee surgery.

There’s no replacing what Steven Adams brings to this team. His screening opens up so much for its perimeter attack, and he’s the best offensive rebounder in basketball. He helps the Grizzlies generate an edge in the possession battle. He amplifies the team’s strengths, and alleviates its weaknesses.

You can’t replace Adams with an individual solution. It’s a committee effort — players rising to the occasion to improve upon their own weaknesses, and lean on its other strengths to offset what they’re missing.

It sucks, it’s a huge blow. 2 of their 3 best frontcourt players have significant injuries. Adding those 2 with Ja Morant’s absence, and they’re now starting the season with 3 of their bonafide rotation players out of the fold.

In the meantime, everyone will look at what’s next. How does Zach Kleiman respond to the news from a roster management standpoint? How does Taylor Jenkins tweak the rotation beyond starting Xavier Tillman?

Time for X to give it to em

Xavier Tillman is now the Grizzlies’ starting center for the foreseeable future. He can hold down the fort pretty well, as the Grizzlies were 18-11 with him in the starting lineup.

Tillman isn’t quite an imposing presence like Adams, but he’s a solid center and can do some of the stuff the veteran provides. He drew 4.9 screen assists per 75 possessions, 91st percentile per The B-Ball Index. He’s undersized but remains a feisty offensive rebounder (1.98 offensive rebounds per game, 2.8 in the playoffs).

Adams is a more potent rim protector, but Tillman is more versatile. He can cover big wings or the league’s elite centers, still allowing Jaren Jackson Jr. to roam off the ball. His footwork and quick hands make him a switchable big capable of generating defensive events in space.

This role as the starting center is the perfect opportunity for Tillman to showcase an improved — and willing — jumper. Offsetting what Adams provides with outside shooting and space could be a factor for the Grizzlies offense this season.

Tillman is once again called upon to play a huge role for the Grizzlies in the wake of injuries. What a massive opportunity for Tillman during a contract year.

Embrace the versatility

The Memphis Grizzlies have to get creative when it comes to navigating Steven Adams’ loss.

While Jenkins could stick with a 10-man rotation and roll with Kenneth Lofton Jr. (Junior hive, stand up!), the Grizzlies should embrace its versatility.

The Grizzlies could just go for a 9-player rotation, or put Jake LaRavia or John Konchar in there if 10 is the way.

Whichever route they pursue, it may be more beneficial to have Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman staggered at the 5 for all 48 minutes. It may be risky — great time for Jackson to silent the rebounding criticism. Santi Aldama would need to grow in his big man responsibilities a bit quicker than expected.

However, they would switch more, have more perimeter firepower, and play with more pace. It’s simply a test that can pay dividends, or expedite the process of addressing its concerns.

After the rotation looked rather crystal clear at the end of preseason, it has even more questions. Without its big man in the fold, they need to lean on creativity and optionality in order to counter what they’re missing.

Free agency options

When the Adams news broke, our minds immediately went to the question — who can the Grizzlies go get?

The Daily Memphian’s Chris Herrington pointed out this possible solution:

Going down this route allows for Kleiman and Jenkins to properly assess its roster and needs without rushing into a move before Wednesday’s opener.

If you look at the free agency list, you immediately realize it’s not tantalizing.

Willy Hernangomez is an interesting name to monitor. He was buried beyond Jonas Valanciunas and Jaxson Hayes in New Orleans, but he’s usually productive. He’s a per-minute beast — 17.6 points and 13.9 rebounds per 36 minutes for career, 20 career PER. At just 29 years old, and at 6’11”, he’s a good flier.

Anyone down for the Gorgui Dieng reunion? He’s a 7-footer that can at least space the floor and protect the rim for a couple minutes a game. Then you get into names like Dwight Howard, Demarcus Cousins, Bismack Biyombo, Frank Kaminksy, and Willie Cauley-Stein — so yeah, not great.

If any of these players stayed for the entirety of the season, the Grizzlies would need to free a roster spot. They have 15 guaranteed contracts, and Lofton’s partial-guaranteed deal is probably the “easiest” cut.

Trade options

The Grizzlies have 2 exceptions they could use to trade for a big man — a $7.5M trade exception from the Dillon Brooks sign-and-trade, and a potential $6.3M (50% of Adams’ salary) disabled player exception (if applied for).

Theoretically, the Grizzlies could use Clarke as salary with picks to get a worthwhile center, but I don’t see it happening. Utilizing a combination of Lofton, Konchar, or LaRavia with picks and any exception needed is more realistic.

I’ll run through names quickly.

Robert Williams III is a trendy name now that he’s with a rebuilding Blazers team. Do they want to replace 2 injured bigs with one with knee issues as well? He played 35 games last year, and has missed 20+ games every season of his career.
They could call the Knicks for either Isaiah Hartenstein or Jericho Sims. Hartenstein does similar stuff as Adams with his facilitation as a high-post hub. Sims is a huge, bouncy lob threat that can also get on the offensive glass. Both players are also young enough to be in the long-term fixture.
Andre Drummond is on a small salary and on the same level of rebounder as Adams. Is he someone the Grizzlies push for to maintain the possession advantage?
Daniel Theis is a big man with size that could be a solid backup. He’s a battle-tested big man, but not much of a rebounder.
Memphis fans, don’t suggest James Wiseman.

The Grizzlies could also hold off on this option until closer to the deadline, when recently-signed players can be traded.

Losing Steven Adams is an absolutely crushing blow. Best of luck to Adams on his recovery. He’s an impactful player that’s a joy to watch on the basketball floor — just crushing opponents with his rebounding and screening.

This isn’t a new territory for the Grizzlies. The sky isn’t falling, but the margin of error in a tenacious Western Conference is officially razor thin. Now, we wait and see the response — the execution, the tactics, and the roster management.

If you choose to support my Substack, SubTsakalidis — aka “SubTsak” — follow this link to my Allie’s Allies St. Jude fundraiser page. If you choose to subscribe, all proceeds will go towards St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.