Grizzlies Face Uncertain Future as Star Trio Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey, and Brandon Clarke Begin Season on Sidelines After Surgeries

Starting off the season with a gut punch—Memphis is staring down a steep hill, and boy, does this team have some proving to do in the ruthless Western Conference. Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey, and Brandon Clarke—all key cogs in that frontcourt machine—are sidelined, sidelined for the training camp and opening tipoff as they recover from surgeries. Jackson, fresh off an All-Star nod and a Defensive Player of the Year title, had turf toe surgery come July. Last year, he dazzled with 22.2 points a game and that sneaky 37.5% from downtown, anchoring both ends of the court. Losing him? That’s like losing your ace up the sleeve. Out steps Santi Aldama, ready or not. Then there’s Edey, last season’s top rookie, who brought hustle and blocks strong enough to halt drives at 1.3 per game. Clarke’s saga? He bounced back from last season’s knee sprain only to be sidelined again with synovitis, which means he’s out until at least November while he heals. Naturally, all these absences shove the spotlight squarely onto Ja Morant to keep the Grizzlies afloat, and in a Western Conference buzzing with at least a baker’s dozen of playoff hopefuls, that’s a colossal load to carry right out of the gate. LEARN MORE

This is a harsh blow to start the season for a Memphis team needing to prove it can make noise in a deep Western Conference.

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey — the team’s starting power forward and center — as well as backup center Brandon Clarke are all going to miss training camp and the start of the season recovering from surgeries, the team announced Friday.

An All-Star last season and a former Defensive Player of the Year, Jackson had surgery to help deal with a turf toe injury back in July. Last season he averaged 22.2 points per game, shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc, while playing elite defense. Because of his two-way play as well as Ja Morant being in and out of the lineup in recent seasons, Jackson has become the Grizzlies’ best player and losing him is a huge blow. Santi Aldama will move into the starting lineup in his place.

Edey made First-Team All-Rookie last season, averaging 9.2 points and 8.3 rebounds a game, while blocking 1.3 shots a night.

Clarke has recovered from the knee sprain that slowed him at the end of last season but now suffers from right knee synovitis — an inflammation of the synovial membrane that surrounds and helps lubricate the knee — and that required his knee to be scoped. While there is no timeline on Clarke’s return, he is going to be re-evaluated in six weeks, reports Shams Charania of ESPN. That likely pushes his return into November.

All these frontcourt injuries will put a lot more pressure on Ja Morant to keep the Grizzlies afloat to start the season until everyone gets healthy. In a West with a minimum of 13 teams thinking playoffs, that will be a big ask.