Two Memphis Grizzlies personnel land on NBA 40 Under 40 list

Ever since the arrival of Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies have gotten better and surpassed expectations every step of the way.

Morant has put in the work every step of the way to be considered one of the bests in the NBA. But some of the team’s success should be given to the front office and coaching personnel.

That’s exactly what’s happened with the arrival of the inaugural 40 Under 40 NBA list, created by The Athletic.

Earlier this week, Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins and Memphis Grizzlies General Manager / Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Zach Kleiman appeared on the list to signify their great accomplishments at a young age.

Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach and General Manager land on 40 Under 40 list

Appearing first on the list is the head coach, Taylor Jenkins. The Grizzlies coach, in his third season with the team, has Memphis playing like one of the best teams in the NBA this season. The team’s success starts with him and the culture he’s set.

Jenkins is one of a few names being floated by NBA Insiders under consideration to be named the NBA Coach of the Year.

Taylor Jenkins, 37

The Athletic had nothing but great things to say about Jenkins:

"Jenkins has a shot to win Coach of the Year this season and has been a key reason Memphis has surged to the third-best record in the West. It would be the second consecutive playoff appearance for the Grizzlies under Jenkins, who has helped push the organization forward in its rapid transition from the Grit n’ Grind era to this current iteration fronted by Ja Morant."

Zach Kleiman, 33

The Athletic also count themselves as a “King Kleiman” fan. The publication did a full-blown profile on Kleiman, giving some rare insight to a man we know very little about (other than that he’s a great executive).

"Kleiman has built the Grizzlies into a young, exciting team that could be dangerous for years to come. Not bad for a lawyer who transitioned to the basketball side after he got hired in Memphis. He made difficult moves soon after taking over, including trading franchise legend Mike Conley after just months on the job, and pivoted the team to its current phase. He hired coach Taylor Jenkins and made Ja Morant his first draft pick. Memphis has drafted well under his guidance, with Desmond Bane as the most high-profile example. He is one of the frontrunners for Executive of the Year."

The Memphis Grizzlies are in great hands in all three levels of the organization: on the court, on the bench and in the front office.