https://static.wixstatic.com/media/c55589_e583f2e478654bcf89b8a3b19ee9bd83~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_500,h_500,q_90/file.jpg

 

Memphis Grizzlies Team Review

 

2024-25 Finish: 33-49

 

Season Highlight:

The Grizzlies highlight does not come on the court but off it. Having come off a 10^th place finish the season prior, the Grizzlies were stuck in salary cap hell with the teams payroll beyond the 2^nd apron. A favourable rule change which removed re-trade fines was the catalyst for a full on trade masterclass by GM Rootsey. The more notable trades will be touched on a little later, but suffice to say Rootsey not only found himself below the first apron by seasons end, but only shaved 8 games off the previous seasons record, proving he didn’t lose much in the way of talent despite shedding over 25 million off his books.

 

Season Lowlight:

If the highlight comes from off the court, then the lowlight probably must come from on it. The Grizzlies battled hard, but for a second consecutive season they were seemingly unable to figure things out with the game engine, team chemistry and at the controls on both sides of the basketball. A once dominant team from years past was again stuck in a fight for the playin’s in a shallower Western Conference, which they eventually didn’t make. Rootsey has admitted a few times he has been unable to get a grasp on how to win recently. He is a proud GM and I know the last two seasons would have stung.

 

Best Trade:

Grizzlies send: Dante Exum, Terry Rozier, Josh Green

Grizzlies receive: Mike Conley, PJ Washington, Aaron Nesmith

 

Of a swag of cost cutting moves, this was the best of the lot. The Grizzlies save over 4 million here while bringing in players who would prove more valuable on the court than the guys sent out by seasons end. Getting off that Rozier contract makes this a no brainer regardless.

 

Worst Trade:

Grizzlies send: Davion Mitchell
Grizzlies receive: Jalen McDaniels

Mitchell would go on to re-ignite his stalling career after this one while McDaniels was soon out of the league. Luckily Rootsey moved him off in a salary dump before that occurred, but this was the biggest value hit he took. Which speaks to that trade masterclass Rootsey put on.

 

Other Notable Trades:

Grizzlies send: Timothy Hardaway, Memphis 2026 2^nd, New Orleans 2026 2nd
Grizzlies receive: Terance Mann

This saved them 4 million

 

Grizzlies send: Rui Hachimura
Grizzlies receive: Josh Green

This saved them 4 million, see the pattern?

 

Grizzlies send: Mike Conley, PJ Washington, Zaire Williams, Ayo Dosonmu, pick 45, pick 39, Milwaukee 2026 2^nd, Toronto 2027 2nd
Grizzlies receive: T.J. McConnell, Malcolm Brogdon, Jaxson Hayes, Cameron Thomas

After all those cost cutting moves, Rootsey made a basketball value trade to round out the season, adding incredible size at the 4 in Hayes, and two guards that enjoyed terrific seasons who will likely be in the Grizzlies long term plans in McConnell and Thomas

 

 

Free Agency:

The Grizzlies have three players to take care of in free agency, well two with Cam Thomas being a restricted free agent.

Cam Thomas – RFA, Cam took the QO in the NBA, so comes back on the cheap here. But will be a headache next off-season

T.J. McConnell – UFA, has the re-sign bonus so is likely retained, a very nice contract for a very handy shot maker and shot creator

Javonte Green – UFA, also has a re-sign bonus so is likely retained, a cheap bigman who can unlock potential twin tower lineups

 

Star:

Jaylen Brown

Rootsey has received enough plaudits so let’s go with the guy that averaged 32 points and was one of the only Grizzlies to boast a positive plus-minus in 2024-25. Although he only suited up for the 66 games, Brown carried the offensive burden again for the Grizzlies while chipping in 4 rebounds and 3 assists per game. He played like a first banana.

 

Flop:

Edrice Adebayo

He played 78 games which is a strong effort, but boy did Bam struggle this past season. His points per game and rebounds per game almost exactly halving on most of his season’s prior. 9 points and 7 rebounds is not good enough from your 30 million dollar man in the middle. He was sent packing this offseason after 3 years in Memphis.

 

 

Draft Grades:

Pick 7 – Kon Knueppel

Overall Grade: B+

Knueppel was a nice pick here, he can really score the basketball so will help Jaylen Brown in that regard and is getting all the time he wants in the NBA. Will be an offensive weapon either off the bench or as a starter

Pick 9 – Cedric Coward

Overall Grade: A

Love the Coward pick, a ready made 3 and D wing with tremendous athleticism and has showcased a very nice jump shot in his early NBA career. The defensive chops are there, he will flourish in Memphis

Pick 17 – Derik Queen

Overall Grade: B

We have already heard a lot of love from Queen in the discord from Rootsey. I myself am not Queens biggest fan, after seeing how Joan Beringer erased his shots in summer league. But, he will get time in the NBA and is showing his basketball IQ stacks up at this level

 

The Future:

The Grizzlies future looks bright when you see the stable of young players and role playing veterans that Rootsey has been able to amass next to the teams stars Jaylen Brown and Jaren Jackson Jnr. Stephen Castle looks electric heading into year two, Zach Edey remains a man mountain, Aaron Nesmith broke out, and all 3 incoming rookies will contribute next season. Add that to the roles that Wiggins, McConnell, Thomas, Huff, Pippen Jr can all play in varying roles and you see a talented team that should win basketball games. Can Rootsey unlock them?

C: Zach Edey / Derik Queen / Jay Huff
PF: Jaren Jackson Jnr / Aaron Nesmith / Jaxson Hayes
SF: Jaylen Brown / Cedric Coward / Ben Sheppard / Johnny Furphy
SG: Kon Knueppel / Cameron Thomas / Aaron Wiggins
PG: Stephen Castle /  T.J. McConnell / Scotty Pippen Jr.