The Memphis Grizzlies are officially entering a new chapter-and it’s a big one. With Jaren Jackson Jr. now headed out the door in a trade deadline deal with Danny Ainge, the Grizzlies are closing the book on the Ja Morant-JJJ era that once promised to lift Memphis into perennial playoff relevance.
That duo brought energy, defense, and a real sense of identity to a small-market team that had long been searching for a national spotlight. Now, the spotlight shifts-toward the future.
Let’s be clear: this is not a full-scale teardown. Memphis has the tools to rebuild without bottoming out.
Thanks to a stockpile of draft picks and a cap sheet that’s light on long-term commitments, the front office has room to maneuver. That means they don’t need to panic-sell Ja Morant before Thursday’s trade deadline.
Even if Morant’s future in Memphis is murky, the Grizzlies can afford to wait for the right deal-or the right moment.
Grizzlies fans might not be expecting much from the rest of this season, and frankly, that’s fair. But there’s a blueprint forming for 2026-27, and it’s one that should feel familiar to anyone who remembers the “Grit and Grind” days.
Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, and GG Jackson could form a bruising, versatile frontcourt. Taylor Hendricks, the ninth overall pick in 2023, is still a project, but there’s upside there.
Meanwhile, wings like Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward bring the kind of length and athleticism that can make life miserable for opposing scorers.
Unfortunately, Edey’s currently sidelined, so we’ll have to wait to see that vision in full. Still, the direction is clear: this is a team that’s retooling, not resetting.
Even if Morant sticks around for a few more months, the front office is already deep into its scouting of the next franchise cornerstone. Names like Darryn Peterson and Kingston Flemings are popping up in point guard discussions, while AJ Dybantsa and Nate Ament could bring dynamic scoring and size to the wing.
All four of those prospects carry serious All-NBA potential, and Memphis knows it needs to hit big on at least two of them if this rebuild is going to lead anywhere meaningful.
But before we get to the draft, there’s another piece of business to handle: that $28.8 million trade exception. It’s a powerful tool-if used wisely.
The smart play? Absorb a short-term contract from a team looking to shed salary, and pick up more draft capital in the process.
That’s how you accelerate a rebuild. Misusing that exception to chase a quick-fix veteran would be a costly mistake, one that could set the team back years.
Expect the Grizzlies to make at least one more move before the deadline, but don’t expect them to take on any long-term salary.
Looking ahead to next season, the focus will shift to value signings-short-term deals that can bridge the gap without clogging up future cap space. Memphis needs to be careful not to commit big money beyond 2028.
Think role players with upside-guys like Rui Hachimura or Kenrich Williams-rather than big-name swings like James Harden or Lu Dort. With Kentavious Caldwell-Pope likely to opt out of his deal, the Grizzlies will have around $138 million on the books.
That gives them some flexibility to explore longer-term fits in free agency. Names like Anfernee Simons, Coby White, Quentin Grimes, Collin Sexton, and John Collins could all be worth a look, depending on price and fit.
Still, even with smart moves and a little lottery luck, the path back to the second round of the playoffs isn’t guaranteed. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a fanbase that saw their team sitting in second place just a year ago.
But this pivot is necessary. The Grizzlies are betting that a disciplined rebuild now will pay off in a big way down the line.
Cutting corners or clinging to the past only delays the process.
Memphis is turning the page. The next few months will determine how quickly they can start writing the next great chapter.