5 Contracts the Memphis Grizzlies must shed during the offseason

1. Marcus Smart

Memphis traded two first-round draft picks and Tyus Jones to get Marcus Smart in the 2023 offseason. It was a bold move, and Smart is a Grit and Grind type player. The 6’3 guard is known for his stout defense and was often referred to as the heart of the Celtics. Does he fit on this Grizzlies roster?

Memphis won three of the six games Smart played with Ja Morant this season, which is a tiny sample. Both are undersized guards who struggle to space the floor. Morant has historically played with a traditional big man. The Grizzlies traded Steven Adams, but finding a stretch five won’t be easy. Throw in Jaren Jackson’s shooting woes, and Memphis may be a historically bad shooting team in 2025.

The Grizzlies had the third-best defensive rating in the NBA in 2023 and traded for Smart to replace Dillon Brooks. The former Grizz wing is three inches taller and a more consistent shooter. The last thing they need is to take another floor spacing hit.

The Memphis Grizzlies have work to do this offseason. They will be adding another lottery pick to their mix. Zach Kleiman and the front office must nail that selection and upgrade their roster if they plan on getting back to the playoffs. Stay tuned to see how it all shakes out.