If the Summer League was any sign of what Memphis has coming, Grizzlies fans have reason to be intrigued. Last season ended with injuries piling up and losses following close behind, and now the franchise is stepping into a new phase with the preseason about to begin.
The first stop comes on October 5th in Atlanta, where Memphis opens against the Hawks. Even in a preseason setting, that matchup matters.
It gives the roster a chance to get everyone on the floor together, and for a team with a new core and a lot of young players, those reps count. The starters may not log heavy minutes as the team tries to limit injury risk, but the mix of starters and bench players working side by side is part of the point.
Atlanta looks different too, and Memphis will get an early look at that revamped group. The Hawks added Dorian Finney-Smith, Lu Dort, and rookie Kingston Flemings, while Jalen Johnson returns after a breakout season.
Dyson Daniels remains on the roster as the defensive anchor, and CJ McCollum, Onyeka Okongwu, Aaron Wiggins, and Jock Landale are also in the mix. Landale, of course, wore a Grizzlies jersey in the 2025 preseason opener.
After that, Memphis finishes its preseason schedule against Orlando, Chicago, and Charlotte. The Magic game stands out because it will be Desmond Bane’s first official homecoming since the summer of 2025 trade.
It has been a long wait, too, since the last time these teams met was overseas in Berlin and London. Orlando kept most of its current pieces together, but Nikola Vučević is now part of the picture and should be a meaningful addition.
Chicago brings its own questions. The Bulls have changed so much since the trade deadline that the roster is tough to keep straight, but the talent is there. Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey are still around, and the additions of Norman Powell, Buddy Hield, and rookie Caleb Wilson give the group a potent look for a team trying to move past the play-in grind.
Charlotte is another team with a fresh feel. LaMelo Ball is no longer there, having moved on to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Hornets spent the offseason trying to reshape the roster with depth in mind. Naz Reid, Grayson Allen, Royce O’Neale, and Dennis Schroder join Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Coby White, Moussa Diabate, and Brandon Miller, giving Charlotte a blend of veterans and younger players that should make for a useful test against Memphis.
More than anything, preseason basketball is about discovery. It can offer a first look at what the season might become, but it also gives players a chance to build chemistry, coaches room to test rotations, and everyone a chance to settle back into the rhythm of the regular season.
There’s room to compete and room to experiment. For Memphis, that balance starts now.
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