Ja Morant is suspended. Steven Adams is hurt. Can the Memphis Grizzlies still contend?

Another NBA season is nearly upon us. The Memphis Grizzlies will open their 2023-24 campaign against the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night at FedExForum (7 p.m., Bally Sports Southeast) without Ja Morant and Steven Adams. Their absences loom large over the organization as it prepares to put last year's first-round playoff exit in the rearview mirror and contend again in the Western Conference.

With that in mind, The Commercial Appeal's Mark Giannotto and Damichael Cole broke down five burning questions facing the Grizzlies ahead of this season.

How will the Memphis Grizzlies do without Ja Morant and Steven Adams?

Cole: It’s going to be tough. I can see the Grizzlies hovering a little above .500. While losing Adams exposes the Grizzlies more in the rebounding department, Xavier Tillman Sr.’s defensive versatility will be a boost. Memphis went 18-11 with Tillman starting last season. The goal is to stay relevant until Morant returns. I think that’s something they can pull off. Memphis should at least remain in the middle-of-the-pack of the Western Conference.

Giannotto: The Grizzlies can manage without Morant for 25 games. They’ve shown that the past two regular seasons. The acquisition of a versatile stop-gap like Marcus Smart helps. But Adams' injury, because it's season-ending, makes this even more complicated than Morant's suspension had already made it. At least some of Adams' screening, passing and rebounding has to be replaced. Memphis might still have enough to reach the playoffs, but it has to find a solution at center to be taken seriously in the Western Conference this season.

Will Ja Morant have a redeeming season?

Giannotto: I sure hope so. It’s been a long 18 months for him, his teammates, the organization and the entire city, really. But what Morant can do on the court, while it waned at times after all the off-court turmoil he brought upon himself, has never been in doubt. Even last season, he had his third 40-point playoff game in three years. If he stays out of trouble and on the court, he’s going to produce. In the short term, redemption could be as simple as that. Long term, that’s still tough to gauge – and probably depends on what the Grizzlies do in the playoffs and the changes Morant makes to his life away from basketball.

Cole: He’ll have every chance to. The people love a good cinematic comeback story, and filmmakers will be knocking down Morant’s door if he can return as one of the NBA’s top-10 players. Playing well, staying out of trouble and leading the Grizzlies to a successful season would put his troubles in the rear view mirror.

GIANNOTTO: Sorry Memphis Grizzlies fans – Ja Morant's suspension will be season-long story

Are Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose the Grizzlies’ missing pieces?

Cole: Smart and Rose have both added another level of reliability and veteran savvy. Smart is doing everything from diving for loose balls in practice to helping the bigs with their post positioning. Rose has the credibility as a former MVP and can still create for himself and teammates as a back-up point guard. These guys make the Grizzlies a more complete team.

Giannotto: They’re both welcome additions to the locker room and make Memphis better. But Smart is the one to focus on. I’d be surprised if Rose is in the postseason rotation. Smart seems to be a great fit to replace Dillon Brooks, and his ability to take on the toughest defensive assignments and knock down open outside shots – Brooks increasingly couldn’t consistently do the latter – will swing playoff series this year.

Will the Grizzlies have an All-Star this year?

Cole: Between Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, it feels like one will get the nod. Both will be in more featured roles that should lead to impressive numbers. They played with a different assertiveness on both ends throughout the preseason. Bane will have the better stats, but he’s also going against the better competition to be one of the six guards to make it from the west.

Giannotto: Jackson has the best shot. He’s the reigning defensive player of the year, made it last year and it’s always easier to make it as a big man. He and Bane will have a chance to put up big numbers with Morant out, but I’m not sure the Grizzlies’ record will be good enough by January to demand inclusion. They’re unlikely to register high in the national fan vote, so I’d bet against it this season.

What would be considered a successful season for the Grizzlies?

Cole: Memphis has its core in place, so anything short of a second-round playoff appearance could lead to roster changes. The regular season isn’t as important around here anymore. The Grizzlies must demonstrate the ability to play high-level offense in the playoffs. A second-round appearance with a series that goes seven games would likely suffice, but anything below that will raise some concerns. If Memphis has a notable advantage in the second-round or home-court advantage, then the Western Conference Finals will indicate a successful season.

Giannotto: The Adams injury changes things. Making the Western Conference Finals is still possible with Morant, Bane and Jackson. It just seems a lot harder to envision with two of the three best big men on the roster (Adams and Brandon Clarke) not playing. If the Grizzlies don’t lose in the first round of the playoffs again and Morant leaves this season feeling as if he’s back on track as one of the NBA’s elite players, that would suffice.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Ja Morant's redemption, how Memphis Grizzlies contend no Steven Adams