The Memphis Grizzlies have maintained a hold on one of the top three spots in the NBA’s Western Conference. As a result, this season’s midseason report card features vastly improved marks compared to the injury-marred 2023-24 campaign. The biggest improvement is the team’s record.
At 31-16, Memphis is firmly ensconced in third place in the Western Conference, one and half games behind the Houston Rockets. The Grizzlies have a 2.5-game lead over fourth-place Denver. Oklahoma City remains atop the conference with a 37-8 record, and a commanding 5.5 game lead over the Rockets.
The Grizzlies are no longer a play-in team. This season, they are fighting for home-court advantage with a bonus of playoff cash. Instead of G League call-ups and 10-day contracts, injured players are returning to form in time for a playoff run. They’ve joined a team of veteran stars and emerging young players to form a deep squad that can weather injury bugs, seasonal illnesses or back-to-backs.
Lets take a look…
The Big Three – Grade: B
Jaren Jackson has built upon last season’s career year. The seventh-year power forward has been impressive on the offensive end of the floor. He is currently averaging 22.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.1 assists. He has also knocked down 35% of his shots from deep. All are improvements over last season. A former Defensive Player of the Year, Jackson is flirting with a return to the All-Star Game.
Desmond Bane’s numbers have dipped. His current 17.7 points per game have dropped from 23.7 in 2023-24. Part of the drop has coincided with a decline in minutes. Bane is averaging five minutes less a game as Memphis’ depth has improved. Although his points and minutes have diminished slightly, some of his other numbers have improved. He is currently averaging 5.4 rebounds, over last season’s 4.4 per game. Bane continues to be a strong playmaker. His 5.5 assists per game matches last year’s standard.
Ja Morant is averaging 20.3 points and 7.5 assists in 28 games this season, after playing in only nine games in 2023-24. After missing the first 25 games while serving a team suspension, Morant injured his right shoulder during a Jan. 8, 2024 practice. He missed the rest of the season. Morant is currently averaging 28.4 minutes per game. The explosive point guard has also become more of a below-the-rim player in an effort to prevent injuries.
The Rookies – Grade: A+
The silver lining of last season’s disappointment is this year’s rookie class. Lottery pick Zach Edey has provided an imposing 7’4” presence in the paint. He has also avoided pre-draft critics’ concerns about getting lost on screen and rolls. The ninth-overall selection is currently averaging 9.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 20.8 minutes per game as a starter.
Jaylen Wells, meanwhile, has exceeded all pre-draft expectations. The 6’8” wing out of Washington State is averaging 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists. The Grizzlies selected Wells in the second round with the 39th pick. A member of the starting five, Wells has played in 43 games.
New Offense – Grade: C+
The Grizzlies new offense, meanwhile, has earned the lowest grade. When flowing, the team can be unstoppable. The the team’s league-leading 123.3 points per game is the prime example. The number is up from 105.8 points per game the previous year. Memphis’ three-point shooting has also improved drastically. This season, the Grizzlies are canning 37.4% of their shots from beyond the arc, up from 34.6% the year before. Historically, the Grizzlies have been bottom feeder in both categories.
However, when the offense isn’t flowing things quickly go from bad to worse. Players look out of sync. Errant passes and other mental lapses occur. For example, during the Jan. 27 game against the Knicks, the Grizzlies committed 26 turnovers. The Knicks won by 143-106 at Madison Square Garden.
At their best, the Grizzlies are capable of the same. On Dec. 26, the Grizzlies topped the Raptors 155-126 at the FedEx Forum.
To trade or not to trade?
With playoffs an increasing likelihood and a deep roster, Grizzlies management are currently pondering whether to package players and picks for a star player, or hold firm with the current group. One player the team has been linked to in trade rumors is disgruntled Miami Heat guard Jimmy Butler, who was recently suspended from the team. He is averaging 17 points in 25 games played this season. He is also 35-years old. His current contract includes a $52 million option for next season. According to reports, Butler has said he has no interest in playing for Memphis.
Other players who could fill a role for Memphis are Raptors center Jacob Poetle, who has two years left on a $39 million contract. Chicago Bulls center Nikolai Vucevik is another possibility. He is currently averaging 20.1 points and 10.5 rebounds. Rumor has it the Bulls’ asking price for the 34-year-old has been high.
Players who could be used in trades for Memphis include backup point guard Marcus Smart, who is currently injured. The former Celtic has averaged 9.2 points and 3.8 rebounds this season in a small sample size. Luke Kennard has been another name kicked around. The team’s bench sharpshooter recently had two games with seven three-pointers made.
