NBA: 2022-23 Western Conference pre-season playoff projections

4 of 10

Memphis Grizzlies Ja Morant (Joe Rondone-USA TODAY Sports) /

6. Memphis Grizzlies

It may be a bit of a shock to see the Memphis Grizzlies checking in at No. 6 but I believe that there will be a couple of things at play in this team taking a bit of a step back this season in the Western Conference. For one, I’m not sure how they’re going to handle expectations.

Being the lovable underdog is one thing. Being the favorite with a target on your back every night is a completely different animal. Plus, there’s uncertainty revolving around Jaren Jackson Jr. He’s slated to miss the start of the season but could be back as soon as November or as late as January.

Without a clear idea of when the Grizzlies will be at full strength, I believe it will hurt them. Ja Morant is great. And this team’s supporting cast continues to get better. But I believe it’s unfair to expect this team to play as well as they did last season in the regular season without being completely healthy to start the year.

Perhaps this team comes on during the second half of the season but at that point, they may have too much ground to make up.