The Memphis Grizzlies' 2024-25 season came to a close after being swept by the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs. The four losses capped off a stretch of 14 straight losses for the team against the top seven Western Conference playoff participants, including seven games against the Thunder.
As the series progressed against the Thunder, the Grizzlies began receiving high-level production from an unlikely backcourt member who rivaled the team's highest-paid player. Scotty Pippen Jr. led the team in scoring in their final two games of the season after losing their leading scorer, Ja Morant, midway through Game 3.
That means a court shared with the Grizzlies' other core members of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane resulted in the former two-way and undrafted combo guard leading the team against the NBA's best regular-season team this season. As the Grizzlies' payroll increases with potential extension talks with their two All-Stars on the horizon, their third of the big three might be the play needed to make the team better going forward.
Desmond Bane's value to the team isn't as high as it once was
As young teams progress through their careers the money gets bigger, leading to tough decisions. After the ending to the season the Grizzlies had, the tough decisions shouldn't be as such with a team that was positioned to be better than they are constructed.
Desmond Bane has outplayed expectations of a player drafted with the last pick of the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft and was rewarded with a max contract in July 2023. However, his production didn't live up to his $39M contract average as the highest-paid player on the team before potential extensions with Morant and Jackson Jr. on the horizon.
After delivering 30 points and 22 points, respectively, in the Grizzlies' two play-in tournament games to help them make the playoffs, his game fell off in the first round against the Thunder. Bane averaged 15.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 32% field goal shooting and 22% three-point shooting.
For comparison, reserve guard turned-starter for the postseason, Scotty Pippen Jr., averaged 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists on 38% field goal shooting and 36% shooting from three. For comparison, Pippen Jr.'s average contract value is $2.4M, and he wasn't projected to be in the team's playing rotation prior to the start of this season.
Desmond Bane's rise has been pleasant for the franchise, but the cost of his contract for a player that will likely not be an All-Star makes him the most expendable if the Grizzlies decide to break up their core. The offseason will begin earlier than the team anticipated, and it will be intriguing if the Grizzlies decide to attempt to take the next step from good to great.