Memphis Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2021-22 season

Power forward

Starter: Deandre Williams

Williams stuffed the stat sheet in the frontcourt for Memphis last year, finishing second on the team in points (11.7), assists (3.4), and rebounds (5.8), and first in three-point percentage (45.5%) and steals (2.2) per game.

Williams’ playmaking and unselfishness will be a blessing for the Tigers next season. He can be relied upon to finish plays, make the extra pass, and initiate offense out of the post and from the perimeter.

There are some intriguing possibilities utilizing Williams as a small-ball 5 next season alongside Bates in the front court that I suspect will be given time to flesh out.

Bench: Chandler and Jonathan Lawson

Chandler Lawson arrives to Memphis after two seasons at Oregon, where he mostly served as a utility forward. As a former top 100 recruit with a good frame, he won’t look out of place when he finds himself on the floor alongside the talented Memphis wings.

His brother Jonathan is an incoming true freshman, the 99th ranked player in the 247 composite.

At 6’6″ and 160 pounds, Jonathan is better served at the 2 or the 3-spot, but it’s unlikely there will be playing time available there next season.

Hardaway has been known to play large rotations, and I expect both Lawsons to see the floor especially early in the season.  After that, it feels like a stretch to project anything more than 10 minutes per game for them once conference play begins.