The Grizzlies era was a flop, but they still have direction.
Cycling from era to era as a team often includes going through rebuilding periods. It's been known for a while that to succeed in the NBA, you have to suffer. But this isn't always true; Sometimes, you get a way out.
The Memphis Grizzlies have crashed. In the years following their electric 2022-23 season, in which they finished 2nd in the West, the Grizzlies have constantly failed to return to glory.
In 3 seasons, they have missed the playoffs twice and been eliminated in the first round. Their big 3 core of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. has dwindled to just 1.
Their remaining star, Ja Morant, has been repeatedly injured, playing only 79 games over the 3-season stretch. He has shown regression with his playstyle, with his PPG dropping every year and his efficiency following.
Taylor Jenkins, their coach since 2019, has been fired.
The Grizzlies' time as top West contenders is over. Having finished 13th in the West this season, with an unstable roster, Memphis has little to look forward to. Being stuck with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope's expensive $21 million salary, they have little flexibility to make winning moves. Their roster has shifted heavily toward youth, leaving them with plenty of developmental upside but very few players who consistently contribute to winning right now.
So now, they are stuck with a big question: What happens to Ja Morant?
Ja Morant's value is low. His archetype is dying across the NBA. His injury history makes it hard for contenders to justify making the move for him.
That being said, he is still, when healthy, an all-star-level point guard. When surrounded by floor spacers and paired with a defensive-minded shooting guard, he can help a team take a real leap.
With the Grizzlies having the 3rd overall pick in the 2026 draft, Ja doesn't really fit their timeline anymore either. They have focused on playing guys like Cedric Coward, Cam Spencer, and Zach Edey. Shifting their focus to youth and bringing in a high-level prospect in the draft would immediately put the Grizzlies back on a winning timeline.
So how can they maximize Ja's value? It's simple: find a playoff team that needs a star guard presence to take them over the edge. And I know just the team.
What they should do:
Toronto Raptors receive: (G) Ja Morant
Memphis Grizzlies receive: (G) Immanuel Quickley, Pick 19, and Pick 50
Free Agency: Resign (G) Jahmai Mashack to a 3-year $11 million contract
Resign (G) Javon Small to a 3-year, $18 million contract
Resign (F) Olivier Maxence-Prosper to a 3-year, $21 million contract
Decline team option on (F) GG Jackson, and sign to a 3-year, $27 million contract
Decline team option on (F) Taylor Hendricks
Sign (G) Austin Reaves to a 4-year, $160 million contract.
Draft (F) Cameron Boozer with the 3rd overall pick.
Why this works:
Rebuilding doesn't always mean sinking; it can mean floating until a boat arrives.
Trading Ja Morant to the Toronto Raptors defines two paths: One marks a reset, and another marks a reign.
The Grizzlies in this trade receive a reliable true point guard, the 19th pick, and the 50th pick. They also drop $10 million in salary. This trade shifts the focus in Memphis from winning around Ja Morant to building a young core with veterans to guide the next era.
For Toronto, this trade gives them a high-ceiling guard that fits with their team. It gives them the potential to contend in the East.
Drafting Cameron Boozer builds the centerpiece which Memphis will build around. Boozer's development becomes the Grizzlies' timeline.
In free agency, Memphis truly defines its focus. By resigning Mashack, Small, Maxence-Prosper, and GG Jackson to long-term deals, it guarantees that Memphis will have plenty of developmental pieces to build on. Allowing Taylor Hendricks to walk clears up forward minutes and creates enough salary room to sign Austin Reaves.
Pairing Reaves with Quickley gives Memphis a nucleus of veteran guards who are both floor raisers. Having great floor raisers when you've already established your young core is very important. It allows your team to keep it's timeline of development while remaining competitive. It gives Memphis an attitude of contending when Boozer is ready.
The Grizzlies now don't need to go through a true rebuilding phase. They have all the pieces they need to contend; all that's left is for those pieces to develop.
Memphis isn't rebuilding to lose; they're rebuilding to create structure for their next star.
The moment they're ready, Memphis will be back in the playoffs.
They have their way out, so now it's time to seize it.
Memphis Grizzlies potential 2026-27 starting lineup + bench:
PG: Immanuel Quickley SG: Austin Reaves SF: Cedric Coward PF: Cameron Boozer C: Zach Edey
G: Walter Clayton Jr., Scotty Pippen Jr., Javon Small, Ty Jerome, Jahmai Mashack, Cam Spencer, F: Jaylen Wells, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, GG Jackson, Olivier Maxence-Prosper, C: Santi Aldama