Tuomas Iisalo is heading into this season with a real opportunity in Memphis - and just as much pressure.
The Grizzlies’ offseason has pushed them deeper into a rebuild, but it also handed Iisalo a roster that should suit his approach. That makes this a pivotal year for the head coach, who now has to turn a reshaped team into something that looks like a step forward. If Memphis is going to move in the right direction, Iisalo has to show he can get the most out of this group and make a case for staying in the job long term.
There’s still a lingering question around how his style translates to the NBA. His track record in Europe was strong, but last season offered only a limited read on what he can do at this level.
The injuries piled up, and Jaren Jackson Jr. was dealt at the deadline, which made the whole thing harder to evaluate. Even so, there were fair concerns, especially around how he handled substitutions and distributed minutes across the rotation.
That issue may end up defining Memphis’ season.
The encouraging part for Iisalo is that this roster does have pieces that fit what he wants to do. Cam Boozer brings offensive versatility and a willingness to attack the glass, which should make him an early favorite in the coach’s eyes. Zach Edey also made a strong impression after Iisalo took over, giving Memphis another young big who seems built to matter in this system.
The backcourt is a little more unsettled after Ja Morant was traded this summer, but the group behind him still has enough balance to work. Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., and Cam Spencer give the Grizzlies multiple options who can score and help support the frontcourt when the team is healthy.
There’s also a young core here that gives Memphis a real path back to winning sooner rather than later. Cam Boozer, Cedric Coward, and Zach Edey stand out as the most promising trio, and the big question is how Iisalo manages their workload. Boozer figures to play a major role right away as a rookie, while Coward and Edey don’t appear likely to face minute limits.
That said, the numbers from Iisalo’s previous rotation choices are hard to ignore. With players like Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis’ best talent was on the floor for noticeably fewer minutes than the top players on other teams.
That’s where the real test lies now. This roster has a clear route to improvement, but the Grizzlies’ best players need to be getting closer to 35 minutes a night.
The supporting cast gives Iisalo plenty to work with, too. Cedric Coward could be in line for a strong sophomore jump, while Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson II, and Cam Spencer all have the chance to contribute. The veteran group of Ty Jerome, Jerami Grant, and Isaiah Stewart adds more stability.
Still, it all comes back to Iisalo. Memphis has a promising young group, but the coach has to put it in the best position to succeed. That starts with sharper rotations and a willingness to keep his best players on the floor more often.
In Other News...
Grizzlies Just Made A Roster Move Fans Will Want To Track
Memphis kept working its roster in a way that says as much about the front offices priorities as the depth chart itself. The Grizzlies used a trade with New Orleans to add a younger wing and some future draft flexibility, continuing a run of moves built around preserving financial room while collecting assets that can matter later.
For a team trying to balance the present with what comes next, these kinds of transactions can be the quiet ones that shape the bigger picture. The swap also clears out two names from the current mix, but the more interesting part for Grizzlies fans may be how this latest deal fits into the larger plan for the roster and the draft board. [Read more 🡒]