30 Teams in 30 Days: Grizzlies Seeking Redemption with Bounce-Back Season

The previous season

The Grizzlies’ season was essentially paused until 2024-25 thanks to Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension and season-ending injury. It wasn’t just him, though. Other injuries forced the Grizzlies to hold auditions and give younger players some burn. That was the right strategy with GG Jackson (Kia All-Rookie Second Team) and Vince Williams emerging as future rotational players and giving the 27-win team a dose of hope.

Summer summary

Is the big man who lives in the post truly out of favor in today’s NBA? Memphis will find out after taking Zach Edey with the No. 9 pick. He left a trail of robust double-doubles behind at Purdue, where he overpowered opponents and had his way in the paint.

That said, Edey can be slow-footed and limited laterally, which could leave him vulnerable to defensive switches. But, heck — he is 7-foot-4 and 300 pounds. You can’t teach that, as the cliche goes. With the right player development system he can become useful. He’s maybe not as a starter right away, but in certain situations and matchups he has value.

Rookie Profiles

Zach Edey

Jaylen Wells

Spotlight on

Marcus Smart was acquired last summer as insurance for Morant and then the strangest thing happened: Smart played only 11 more games than Morant because of injuries. So this is his “first” season with the Grizzlies. They could use his leadership and defense in what should be a more competitive situation given Morant’s return. Can he do for Memphis what he once did for Boston?

How far can the Grizzlies go?

Memphis is the wildest of wild cards in both the Western Conference and the league. Two seasons ago, they were NBA darlings and viewed as a potential contender after reaching the West semifinals. Assuming last season was merely a hiccup because of injuries and Morant’s woes, does this mean the Grizzlies will reclaim their place in line?

Morant will likely return with a fierce purpose to demonstrate that he’s still elite. Desmond Bane became a leading scoring threat in his absence, and there’s Smart, Jaren Jackson Jr. and maybe even Brandon Clarke. This team has talent. The biggest concern is whether they’ll need immediate help from Edey to play the role that Steven Adams did solidly for years.

Up next: San Antonio Spurs | Previously: Houston Rockets

30 Teams in 30 Days: Complete schedule

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

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