Grizzlies Facing Offseason Of Inevitable Change

They’ve consistently outperformed expectations in the regular season, and before this season, they had a solid track record to match. But here’s the catch: the Grizzlies look like a contender, until a real contender shows up.

From February 8 onward, the Grizzlies played 14 games against teams that finished in the top six in either conference. Their record? A miserable 1-13. They were outscored by a combined 126 points in those games.

In response, Memphis made a midseason coaching change, firing head coach Taylor Jenkins and assistant Noah LaRoche. But, unsurprisingly, that didn’t work in the playoffs.

The Oklahoma City Thunder quickly dispatched the Grizzlies in the first round. They won the first two games by a combined 70 points. When Morant went down with an injury in Game 3, the Thunder surged back from a 29-point deficit to take that game.

They closed things out on the road in Game 4. Memphis fought hard at home, but the series was never really in doubt. The Grizzlies weren’t a real threat to the Thunder, and it was only a matter of time before the series ended.

It’s tough to judge Memphis against a 68-win juggernaut like the Thunder, but the reality is that in the West, you have to contend with teams like that. What we’ve learned from the Grizzlies’ drubbing is that, for all their promise, they’re not in the same class as the Thunder — and not close to it, either.

Sure, injuries matter. Brandon Clarke and Jaylen Wells would’ve helped. Losing Morant likely swung Game 3. But the gap between these two teams is massive, and it’s not just about health.

Coaching stability could be the key, but after a year that included a coaching change and a complete offensive overhaul, it’s unclear what kind of coach the Grizzlies even need. They tried to revamp their offense midseason with LaRoche’s system — an offense that, despite lacking pick-and-roll action, was somewhat effective.

But after the Grizzlies fell to contenders, they scrapped it. That doesn’t seem like a mere loss of faith in a scheme; it reflects an internal resistance to change. What Memphis is missing is not just the right offense or defense, it’s a cohesive vision that everyone in the building can buy into.

But if this series against the Thunder taught us anything, it’s that substantial change is needed, and that’s going to take some serious self-reflection from the front office. The good news is that the Grizzlies have shown they’re capable of making tough decisions.

They’ve already demonstrated the willingness to shake things up. They flirted with moves for Jimmy Butler and Kevin Durant at the trade deadline, with Durant’s fit being particularly obvious. Morant and Jackson could provide the rim pressure and defense Durant lacked in Phoenix. He could be the shot-maker they need to close out tight playoff games.

The problem is that two years ago, trading a haul for a 37-year-old Durant would have been a nonstarter. But now? The Grizzlies aren’t a plucky young team anymore. It’s not quite “now or never,” but it’s getting close. The timeline Memphis has built up over the past few seasons is running out.

Jackson is set for a max or super-max deal in two years, and many of the affordable role players will be either extended or gone. This current iteration of the Grizzlies isn’t a championship contender. They may never be with this core, but their window is closing, and it might be now or never to make a move.

A trade for Durant could open that window, even if it means breaking up the big three. The Grizzlies cleared cap space by trading Marcus Smart, a move that allowed them to potentially extend Jackson but left them thin on matching salary for a Durant deal. The money just doesn’t work without including one of the big three, and based on fit and salary, Bane would likely be the most logical player to move.

But Memphis might not even have the opportunity to make a splashy trade. Durant has leverage thanks to his expiring contract, and Butler has already found a new home. Early reports suggest Durant may not have Memphis on his radar.

If that’s the case, the Grizzlies will have to consider whether a lateral move or a core shakeup is necessary. The NBA’s current cap situation makes it difficult for teams to maintain traditional “big threes,” and Memphis doesn’t have the depth it needs to make it work.

The trio of Jackson, Morant, and Bane has four All-Star selections and one All-NBA nod, but none of them are top-15 players. Jackson struggles with foul trouble and rebounding, and Morant’s jumper has never quite developed, making him dependent on athleticism that may already be fading. Bane is a solid scorer but hasn’t cracked the top-20 in per-game scoring.

Together, they make for an intriguing group — but perhaps one that’s already hit its ceiling.

Bane, locked up for four more years, could be the easiest to trade. His shooting and offensive flexibility make him appealing to a team in need of scoring. He could be a game-changer for teams like Washington, Orlando, or Detroit, who could use a reliable shooter and shot-creator.

Moving Bane might not be a full rebuild, but it could give Memphis the assets to reassess their options and make a fresh start in 2026.

Moving Jackson or Morant would be more complicated. Jackson is an impending free agent and could scare off suitors if he hints at signing with the Lakers in 2026.

Morant, meanwhile, would be a tough sell due to his shooting limitations. High-usage guards who can’t shoot threes aren’t exactly in high demand in 2025. While Memphis could trade Morant, it’s unlikely they’d get an upgrade in return.

Memphis has struggled with player development in recent years. They’ve turned G-League finds into rotation players but haven’t hit on their higher-profile picks. If they had drafted Trey Murphy instead of Ziaire Williams, for instance, they might not be in this position. The Grizzlies have mostly grown up now, and their lottery pick for the upcoming draft isn’t going to fix things overnight.

For now, the Grizzlies are a solid 45-50 win team — nothing wrong with that, but nothing that stands up to the Thunder’s behemoth either.

With their aspirations higher than that, it’s clear Memphis needs to make a bold move if they wants to contend. This core group has run its course, and if the Grizzlies going to get to that next level, changes are inevitable.