The Grizzlies don’t look like the team people are used to seeing in Memphis, and that’s exactly why this season could get interesting fast.
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are gone after being traded in this past calendar year, leaving a new identity to take shape around third overall pick Cam Boozer. That kind of overhaul usually comes with a long adjustment period, but Memphis may not need much time to make noise in the Western Conference.
The outside view is pretty cold. After an injury-hit 25-57 season, the Grizzlies aren’t drawing much buzz beyond Memphis, and ESPN has them pegged to go 27-55 and finish 13th in the West. But that forecast may be underselling how quickly this roster can move forward.
Boozer is the biggest reason for optimism. Even as a rookie, he brings a polished offensive package that should show up right away. His playmaking and versatility give Memphis a chance to look better in the halfcourt almost immediately, and he should be right in the mix for Rookie of the Year - with a real shot to win it depending on how much usage the top four picks get.
Then there’s Zach Edey, who might be the swing factor for the whole team. He played 66 regular season games as a rookie, then only 11 last season.
If he gets back to 65-plus games, the Grizzlies probably aren’t going to be a bad team. A healthy Edey would also give Memphis a major boost on defense, and paired with Boozer, that duo could push the Grizzlies to at least a Play-In spot, if not more.
Cedric Coward adds another layer. His rookie year was strong enough to land him on the All-Rookie First Team, and while his summer was uneven, the best stretches still showed why he matters. Memphis has real reason to believe Coward can take another step.
The roster has more than just the young headliners, too. Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Cam Spencer should fit with the revamped frontcourt, while Jaylen Wells and GG Jackson II give the Grizzlies more promising young wing options. The additions of Jerami Grant and Isaiah Stewart bring in veterans with playoff experience, giving this group a mix of experience and upside that could play well over the course of a season.
Memphis may not be built to go toe-to-toe with the Thunder and Spurs just yet, but it does look like a team with enough talent, depth, and room for growth to surprise people. A legitimate run at the play-in - or even a playoff spot - is very much in play.
In Other News...
Ja Morant Just Made Memphis Move Feel Even More Final
Ja Morant has already started putting real distance between himself and Memphis, and the latest move only sharpens that separation. After his controversial 2025-26 season with the Grizzlies, Morant has begun a new chapter with the Portland Trail Blazers, a change that had already signaled a clean break from the place where he became one of the leagues most electric stars.
Now the off-court side of that transition is catching up, too. Morant has sold his Memphis mansion for a profit after buying it in 2022, another quiet but telling sign that this era is over for good in the city. Even so, there is still a basketball question hanging over his next stop, with former NBA players already talking up the possibility of a comeback season in 2026-27. [Read more 🡒]
Desmond Bane Has A Strong Case Fans Arent Talking About
Desmond Banes first season with the Orlando Magic gave Memphis fans plenty to watch from afar, and the advanced numbers suggest the move did more than just change uniforms. Bane turned in career highs in multiple statistical categories while posting a plus-1.8 Estimated Plus Minus, which put him in the 87th percentile overall and inside the top tier of shooting guards by impact.
What makes his case interesting is how complete it looks underneath the scoring. His offense graded out as elite, his defense came in neutral, and that balance can matter just as much as raw volume when sorting out the leagues best two guards. In a position crowded with bigger names and louder box scores, Banes all-around profile gives him an argument that feels stronger than the attention it has received so far. [Read more 🡒]