The Memphis Grizzlies don’t look far off on paper, and that’s the whole point of the conversation around them right now. Zach Kleiman and the front office have already shown they can spot talent, develop it, and keep this team competitive through the past decade. The problem is less about finding pieces and more about finding the one that makes the whole thing click.
A Western Conference scout put it plainly, saying, “They are a point guard away. They loaded up on size, they are just going to hammer you with big guys.
I love what Cam Boozer brings, they got some toughness with (Quinten) Post and (Isaiah) Stewart. You’ve…”
That fits the shape of this roster. Memphis has built around Cedric Coward, Cam Boozer, and Zach Edey, a trio that gives the team size, versatility, and a lot of frontcourt upside. Those three bring different looks, different roles, and enough talent to give the Grizzlies a real foundation to grow from.
The depth behind them is part of the appeal too. GG Jackson II has flashed real promise.
Jaylen Wells is developing into a growing three-and-D wing. Quinten Post and Isaiah Stewart add more toughness and size, and there are other pieces in the mix that can help build out a strong frontcourt in Memphis.
Still, the scout’s point lands because the biggest hole is obvious: the Grizzlies are missing their Ja Morant. They have options at point guard, but they do not have that true lead guard who can control every possession, take over late, and create for himself and everyone around him.
That’s why the idea of keeping Morant made sense for this roster, beyond the three-point issues. He fits the current group’s needs in a way that is hard to ignore.
There was also a proposed move attached to the conversation: “FULL TRADE DETAILS:Blazers receive: Ja MorantGrizzlies receive: Jerami GrantKris MurrayInsane.”
Even with that kind of talk floating around, Memphis still has a veteran in Ty Jerome who can help the coaching staff figure out what works and where the real needs are. Behind him, Scotty Pippen Jr. remains a useful name as well, especially after impressing in the playoffs in the past and continuing to build back from injury.
So the picture here is pretty clear. The Grizzlies still need help at point guard, but they already have enough capable bodies to keep the machine moving and enough talent spread across the roster to make the idea of a quick climb feel real.
On paper, the rebuild has started well. The question now is whether Tuomas Iisalo can put the pieces in the right places and make it all work.
In Other News...
Cameron Boozer Gives Grizzlies Fans One Big Reason To Watch
Cameron Boozer gives Memphis fans a rare offseason bright spot, and the buzz around the third overall pick is easy to understand. After a successful college season at Duke, Boozer arrives with the kind of polished skill set that should let him contribute right away, even as the Grizzlies lean into a reset and try to sort out a roster reshaped by major trades.
One NBA executive already views Boozer as a strong Rookie of the Year candidate, which at least gives Grizzlies followers a reason to keep an eye on individual progress even if the standings are unkind. The catch is obvious: Memphis is not expected to be very competitive this season, and on a rebuilding team, even a fast start can get lost if the wins do not come with it. [Read more 🡒]
KCPs First 76ers Home Disaster Is Hard To Believe
Kentavious Caldwell-Popes first summer after landing in Philadelphia has already come with a jolt off the court. After a contract buyout sent him from Memphis to the 76ers on a one-year deal, the veteran wing is settling into a new chapter with a contender and a familiar face in LeBron James, as the two chase another championship run together.
Home life, though, has not exactly gotten off to a smooth start for the Caldwell-Popes. Shortly after the family moved into their new Philadelphia place, a lightning strike turned the transition into a mess, leaving behind water damage and elevator problems that made an ordinary move feel anything but ordinary. [Read more 🡒]
Ty Jerome Puts A Huge Grizzlies Question Front And Center
Ty Jeromes arrival gives Memphis something it has been sorting through for a while: a clear answer at point guard, at least on paper. After a strong but limited look last season, he is expected to open the upcoming year as the Grizzlies starter, and the fit is intriguing because his late-season production came in a very small sample. For a team trying to steady its backcourt and keep the offense organized, that kind of short burst can be both encouraging and hard to read.
The bigger question is whether Jerome can carry that same offensive punch once the season settles in and Memphis roster dynamics change around him. New additions and a different rhythm could alter how much scoring responsibility he carries, and that is where the real test begins for the Grizzlies. If he looks more like the player from that brief stretch than a stopgap option, it changes the ceiling of the entire guard rotation. [Read more 🡒]