The Memphis Grizzlies have a deep frontcourt, so when they used their first round pick in the 2015 NBA Draft on power forward Jarell Martin, it was probably as a future replacement for Zach Randolph when he becomes a free agent in 2017. The Grizzlies likely want Martin to be able to develop behind Randolph while learning from him and seeing what works as a big man in the NBA. Martin's development might be hampered a little bit, as he has reportedly suffered a fractured foot that will require surgery and cause him to miss some time, according to Ronald Tillery of The Commercial Appeal.
The timetable for Martin's return is unknown as of right now, but it is expected that he will miss at least a couple months during the regular season. The good news is that the injury happened two months before the season starts, so he will have time to rehab and potentially get back before the season ends.
Martin suffered an injury during pre-draft workouts to his left foot that kept him out of summer league games, but he was cleared and full-go during recent workouts. This injury is to the same foot, but it is apparently a completely different injury, according to general manager Chris Wallace. The injury occurred when Martin collided with another player during one of the recent workouts.
Martin is a 6-foot-10 power forward out of LSU who the Grizzlies selected with the 25th overall pick. He wasn't expected to get big minutes for the Grizzlies this season, as they have Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Brandan Wright, Jarnell Stokes and JaMychal Green all ahead of him on the depth chart in the frontcourt.
In his final season at LSU Martin was able to dominate the SEC averaging 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds per game while shooting 51 percent from the field. Martin is a very athletic big who has the ability to stretch the floor beyond the three point line. Martin is just 22 years old, so this should only be a minor speed bump in his career and when he returns the Grizzlies will be able to groom him the way they had hoped.
