The Memphis Grizzlies’ offseason hasn’t featured many additions or departures. What’s important is that players who were injured last year should be back and healthy for the start of the new season, including Yes Morantwhich the Grizzlies hope will lead them to the playoffs again next April.
Memphis Grizzlies offseason: results so far
Grizzlies offseason focused on health, injuries
The Memphis Grizzlies’ offseason plans were to forget about last season, dig a deep hole in the ground, and bury it so no one could find it. Of course, I say that with deep amusement because the Grizzlies’ offseason, while quiet, may not have required much in the way of roster shakeups or changes.
The 2022-23 NBA season saw the Memphis Grizzlies improve dramatically and make the playoffs. Morant had become a superstar and the following season, Memphis hoped to make a giant leap. Morant’s off-court issues upended those plans, leading to a 25-game suspension starting last year. Injuries throughout the team also surrounded this circumstance. Brandon Clarke (plays nine games), Marcus Smart (played 20 games), and Desmond Bane (played 42 games) and all missed significant time—Steven Adams missed the entire season (and was traded mid-season).
Considering that these players (minus Adams, now in Houston) will be back, Memphis is solidly built as it is now. Ja Morant and the exceptional Jaren Jackson Jr. will lead the way. The only major news of the Grizzlies’ offseason was the draft, where they selected Purdue big man Zach Edey. To reiterate, maybe Memphis just needed to do a little more this summer, beyond getting back in shape and preparing to rotate the 2022-23 roster.
Departures of key players
The Grizzlies’ offseason has been marked by few player departures. Little-used role players like Ziaire Williams And Yuta Watanabe (now with Chiba Jets Funabashi of the B. League in Japan) are gone. Steven Adams was traded to the Houston Rockets during the Season 2023-24—a significant loss at the time. Adams is a great center and one of the strongest players in the league. The Rockets should feel good about acquiring him. However, the addition of Edey should help offset the loss of Adams.
Acquisitions of key players
Zach Edey was the only real value addition this offseason for the Grizzlies. Memphis selected Edey with the ninth overall pick. The center who dominated the NCAA Over the last couple of years, his size and foot mobility have been put to the test. One of Edey’s concerns heading into the draft was his lack of foot speed and mobility. Still, Memphis decided to take a chance on him. It will be interesting to see Edey and Jackson Jr. work together in the paint.
Ja’s return means everything to Memphis
While not technically a rookie, the return of sensation and champion Ja Morant is the biggest development of the offseason for the Grizzlies. He hasn’t played in nearly a year, aside from the handful of games between his suspension and his season-ending injury. Barring a major injury, the Grizzlies should be considered threats in a crowded and brutal Western Conference.
