Regardless of how Alvin Gentry chooses to rearrange his starting backcourt Monday vs. Memphis, there figures to be a relatively new name in the lineup, because among the nine players available for New Orleans, only four have started more than three times in 2016-17. With Jrue Holiday and E’Twaun Moore sidelined against the Grizzlies, two guard options are Langston Galloway and Buddy Hield, who’ve started a combined one game to date.
For Memphis, combo guard Toney Douglas was signed to a contract today and figures to be on the floor immediately, according to head coach David Fizdale. The first-year Grizzlies sideline boss said that he has confidence in Douglas to be ready to play tonight, due to the former New Orleans player’s previous NBA experience.