It was just three years ago that the Memphis Grizzlies were at the top of ESPN's future power rankings, which predict three-year outlooks for every team in the NBA. Well, three years have passed, and now they find themselves ranked 17th, after falling to 12th last season. Their ending to the 2022-23 season set the stage for their fall in the previous two seasons.
That season ended with turmoil as they lost a six-game first-round series to LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers as a number two seed. Whether it was Ja Morant's off-court issues, Dillon Brooks' on-court issues, or injuries to their centers, Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke, they haven't recovered since.
While most of their time has been doom and gloom the past two seasons, the team feels rejuvenated after an offseason of transition. However, it's hard to ignore the pivot they have had to make after looking like the NBA's next dynasty in the making.
How Memphis lost its grip
The initial answer is Ja Morant, as his suspensions affected two seasons when he missed 33 games total due to them. Your best player self-inflicting himself in controversy while in the middle of a promising season is never good for your chances to win a championship. However, he has learned and grown from that experience as he looks to get the team back on the right track this season.
There are always multiple parts to every downfall, and the Grizzlies' injury issues have impacted them more than anything else. They hold the NBA record for most players used in a season (33) during the 2023-24 season, which saw them win only 27 games. Also, before being swept out of the playoffs last season, they lost Brandon Clarke and Jaylen Wells to season-ending injuries, and lost Ja Morant in Game 3 of their first-round series.
To add insult to injury, they also held onto former head coach Taylor Jenkins too long. General manager Zach Kleiman already hired his replacement, Tuomas Iisalo, last year, but opted to utilize him as an assistant instead. Despite the blunders, there is hope for the team to rise again.
The reset begins
Trading Desmond Bane was an admission that the Grizzlies couldn't win a championship with their core, which was probably correct. Injuries are a part of the game, but they have had their top players in every playoff run, with only one playoff series win to show for it back in 2022. Bane was the non-All-Star between him, Morant, and Jaren Jackson Jr., and they received a deal they couldn't refuse.
Now, all the pressure shifts to Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and head coach Tuomas Iisalo to spearhead the new era of Grizzlies basketball. Having two players who are widely recognized as top 30 players is a good start and should help the team develop into a championship-level team again. Resetting isn't the worst thing, but they need to ensure they capitalize on their opportunity to make it work as intended.