Memphis Grizzlies coach Dave Joerger must be getting flashbacks to his days coaching in the IBA, CBA and NBA D-League. The Grizzlies have had a revolving-door roster for most of the season, thanks to a few trades and an astounding assortment of injuries. On Friday, they signed guard Bryce Cotton to a 10-day contract, the team announced, and in doing so they set an NBA record.
Twenty-eight players have been on Memphis' roster this season. That has never happened before.
If you're curious, here's a rundown of everybody who has worn a Grizzlies uniform in 2015-16. Players in bold are still on the roster.
Guards: Mike Conley, Tony Allen, Courtney Lee, Mario Chalmers, P.J. Hairston, Ray McCallum, Briante Weber, Jordan Farmar, Xavier Munford, Beno Udrih, Russ Smith, Elliot Williams, Jordan Adams, Bryce Cotton
Forwards: Matt Barnes, Zach Randolph, Jeff Green, JaMychal Green, Vince Carter, Lance Stephenson, Jarell Martin, Alex Stepheson, James Ennis, Jarnell Stokes
Centers: Marc Gasol, Ryan Hollins, Chris Andersen, Brandan Wright
So, there have been two J. Greens; a Jarell and a Jarnell, and a Stephenson and a Stepheson. Also: If you're counting, there are 18 current Grizzlies, which is only possible because of injury exceptions. What a ridiculous season this has been.
Memphis, by the way, is 41-34 and fifth in the Western Conference. It has a 1 1/2-game lead on the sixth-place Portland Trail Blazers, despite losing a total of 256 player-games to injury, per ESPN's Marc Stein. The Grizzlies' end-of-season schedule doesn't do them any favors, either: they host Toronto on Friday, then they visit Orlando, host Chicago, visit Dallas, host Golden State, visit the Clippers and end their season against the defending champions at Oracle Arena.
