The Grizzlies' early win total for the 2025-26 season was set at 40.5 by DraftKings Sportsbook following their offseason moves. While the general consensus has been that they couldn't refuse the four first-round picks received in the trade that sent Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, they also took a step back in the interim.
Their first move with their new collection of assets was packaging two of those picks to move up in the 2025 NBA Draft to select promising wing Cedric Coward. He couldn't play in the NBA Summer League due to a shoulder injury, so the hype about the pick died down on a national media scale.
The Grizzlies have promise with their collection of young wings and newly added veterans to surround their All-Star duo of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. However, there is a chance the season doesn't go as planned, which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
The asset collection would be boosted if next season fails
Any team with a healthy Ja Morant on it is expected to be competitive, even in a tough Western Conference. After the clear top three of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets, and Denver Nuggets, there is a group of about seven or eight teams that includes the Memphis Grizzlies, who could fall anywhere from fourth in the standings to out of the playoffs and play-in completely.
With that reality and Ja Morant's injury history, the team could find itself on the outside looking in at the end of next season. However, the Grizzlies have the draft pick of one of the teams that isn't expected to compete in the group with the Memphis Grizzlies for a playoff spot
One of the draft picks the Grizzlies received from the Orlando Magic is the Phoenix Suns' 2026 draft pick. Due to protections, the Grizzlies would receive the less favorable of the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards pick if it finishes between one through eight.
The same DraftKings Sportsbook win total projections currently have the Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards in the bottom five of the league in their projections. That means the Grizzlies have a great chance to receive a high lottery pick.
The Grizzlies' general manager, Zach Kleiman, mentioned the team felt they had to take a step back to take the next step forward to championship contention. If next season doesn't result in a playoff berth, two lottery picks will likely be waiting for the Grizzlies to take the next step to the franchise's first NBA championship.