Marcus Smart, entering his second year with the Memphis Grizzlies, expressed optimism about the team’s potential for the upcoming season. Despite a challenging 2023-24 campaign marred by injuries and setbacks, Smart remains confident in what the Grizzlies can achieve.
“We have a high ceiling,” Smart told Grant Afseth of Sportskeeda. “If we can stay locked in and figure it out early on, we can be really good, especially defensively. We’ve got the talent, the guys can do it, and the definition of what it takes.”
The 2023-24 season was a tough one for Memphis. The team was without star point guard Ja Morant for the first 25 games due to a suspension. Additionally, center Steven Adams missed the entire season due to a PCL injury before being traded to the Houston Rockets. Morant’s return offered some hope, but he was sidelined again after only nine games due to a labral tear in his shoulder.
Smart, along with other key players like Desmond Bane and Derrick Rose, also missed significant time with injuries. At one point, the Grizzlies were forced to use over 50 different starting lineups, setting an NBA record for the most lineup combinations in a single season. The team ultimately missed the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
Smart joined the Grizzlies in the summer of 2023 via a trade that sent Kristaps Porzingis to the Boston Celtics and Tyus Jones to the Washington Wizards. In his debut season with Memphis, Smart averaged 14.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in 30.2 minutes per game. However, injuries limited him to just 20 games.
Despite the challenges, Smart believes that the Grizzlies have the tools to bounce back this season. The team made several key offseason moves and is looking to build around a core of young talent and experienced veterans. Smart, known for his defensive prowess and leadership, sees an opportunity for Memphis to excel, particularly on the defensive end.
“We’ve got to figure out how to stay healthy, first and foremost,” Smart added. “But if we can, I believe we can compete with anybody.”
