Memphis Grizzlies Expect To Have Full Roster In Orlando ‘Bubble’

According to Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, every Grizzly will be participating in Orlando when the season restarts.

“To my knowledge, we expect everyone to participate in Orlando,” Jenkins said earlier this week on a call with reporters, per The Daily Memphian.

Specifically, that means that all of Jaren Jackson Jr., Justise Winslow and Brandon Clarke will be good to go when the season restarts. Jackson Jr. was nearing a return from injury when the season stopped in mid-March, while Winslow was on pace to make his Memphis debut in the next game had the season not stopped. As for Clarke, he had a quadriceps injury that he was expected to return from before the regular season ended.

“When it comes to Justise, BC and JJ, those guys are looking and feeling good,” said Jenkins. “Once we get to Orlando, we can finally do five-on-five workouts and scrimmages and we’ll get a better feel. But all indications are those guys will be ready to go.”

Additionally, Grayson Allen and forward Jontay Porter both are seemingly available. Allen moonlighted in Memphis’ rotation at point this year, but was thought to be lost for the season before everything came to a coronavirus-induced halt. Per Jenkins, the door was left open for him to play in Orlando.

“Grayson’s been on a long-term plan and has been progressing well,” said Jenkins. “We think he’ll be in a good spot as well, but we’ll know more when we get to Orlando.”

As for Porter, who Memphis signed in early March, he is not likely to be in the rotation in Orlando and likely won’t play at all. He’s coming off multiple ACL tears and was a long-term signing, not someone to help this year. But if he is healthy enough to at least participate in five-on-five workouts in Orlando, that’s a win for someone who was a first-round talent before the aforementioned injuries made him a severe medical risk.

Notably, the Grizzlies will feature some different faces when season starts. Mixed in with the long layoff, there is likely to be some adjustment period for the team when play begins and Memphis works on defending its spot in the Western Conference playoffs. (Reminder: the Grizzlies lead the way at the moment, but will have to fend off multiple teams to hold onto its spot.) Having good health isn’t a cure all, but it gives Jenkins options. Options are a good thing, especially amid a pandemic when there’s no knowing what to expect or how things will actually play out. This is unprecedented from every angle.

All in all, Memphis appears to be a good spot heading into Orlando. Things could still change between now and then, but they appear to be healthy and — knock on wood — haven’t any coronavirus cases in their traveling party like some other teams have. This is all very day-by-day, but so far, so good for the Grizzlies. It comes at a key time too, considering the team is scheduled to report to Orlando next week and begin life on the NBA’s Disney campus.