2025-2026 NBA Western Conference Tour: The Transformed Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are located in Texas. Since their team was founded in 1995, the Grizzlies have never reached the Finals. They are one of the five teams that have not experienced the Finals in NBA history. This year marks the 30th season of the NBA. Compared with traditional strong teams like the Lakers and Celtics, the Grizzlies are even incomparable to the Spurs, Rockets, and Mavericks in the competition zone. "Studying with the Prince" is the deepest impression the Grizzlies have left on us over the years.

Then you may have questions, as an NBA professional team, has it not been brilliant since its establishment? Even once will do it. Yes, of course there are, the Grizzlies have not performed well in history, but it does not mean that they have not had outstanding seasons.

In the 2010-2011 season, under the leadership of the "black and white two-man", the Grizzlies won 46 wins and 36 losses in the regular season, and entered the playoffs again after four seasons. In the first round of the playoffs, the Grizzlies eliminated the Spurs 4-2 round and staged the "Black Eight Miracle", which is also the fourth time in NBA history that the "Black Eight Miracle". In this round of the series, "Black Bears" Randolph averaged 21.5 points + 9.2 rebounds per game, Gasol combined offense and defense, ending the Grizzlies' embarrassing record of 12 consecutive losses in the playoffs.

2012-2013 season, the Grizzlies ushered in the most successful season in team history, and it was also the closest to the finals. The Grizzlies achieved 56 wins and 26 losses in the regular season and entered the playoffs as fifth in the West. In the first round of the playoffs, the Clippers were eliminated 4-2 without a home court advantage, and the second round was below, and the number one seed in the Western Conference led by Durant and Westbrook was eliminated with a 4-1 score. In this way, the Grizzlies touched the bottom plate of the Western Conference Finals for the first time in history. The Grizzlies lost to the experienced Spurs 0-4, and were eliminated in the Western Conference Finals for the first time in the Western Conference Finals. This is also the only trip to the Western Conference Finals so far.

As the "Black and White Heroes" gradually grow old, the Grizzlies have also embarked on a new round of reconstruction. Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are the hope stars of the Grizzlies. Under the leadership of the two, the Grizzlies quickly returned to our horizon. In the 2021-2022 season, the Grizzlies entered the playoffs with 56 wins and 26 losses. They defeated the Timberwolves 4-2 in the first round and lost to the final champion Warriors 2-4 in the second round. The Grizzlies advanced to the playoffs twice in the following three seasons, but were both eliminated in the first round. The new generation led by Morant in 2022 was once regarded as hope for a breakthrough, but injuries and projection issues have once again become obstacles. In the 2024-2025 season, the Grizzlies experienced an unsatisfactory season. The team first fired head coach Jenkins in the middle of the season, and then Morant suffered an injury in the playoffs, and the Grizzlies were finally swept out in the first round of the playoffs. After experiencing the setbacks of last game, the Grizzlies made drastic adjustments during the offseason, and the new season is the key to the Grizzlies' transformation period. From the changes in the core lineup to the rebuilding of the tactical system, this young team with Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. as the core is trying to reestablish their position in the fiercely competitive West.

Offs, the Grizzlies made a major decision. They sent young star Bain to the Magic 1 for 7, in exchange for Pope + Cole Anthony + four unprotected first-round picks + one first-round pick swap right. This deal marks a significant adjustment to the team's strategic direction. Through this deal, the Grizzlies have reserved valuable draft assets for the future and immediately changed the team's rotation structure and tactical possibilities.

In order to further reduce the salary space and optimize the team's framework, the team did not leave Cole Anthony behind. The Grizzlies sent him to the Bucks and sent Smart away at the same time. There is still doubt whether the sharpshooter Kennard stays in the team. As a supplement, the Grizzlies introduced Landae and, at the 11th pick in the first round, chose Sidrick Coward from Washington State University.

With Bain's departure, the backcourt restructuring is the most significant change in the offseason, and Pope is expected to replace the starting shooting guard position. Although Pope's performance last season was mediocre, averaging only 8.7 points per game, shooting 43.9% from the field and 34.2% from three-point shooting, he is an experienced 3D player and can provide the Grizzlies with much-needed outside defense and fixed-point shooting.

In the frontcourt, the Grizzlies successfully renewed their contract with the inside core Jaren Jackson Jr. with a maximum salary of US$240 million for 5 years, and at the same time, they renewed their contract with Aldama for 52.5 million for 3 years, retaining the main insider framework. Jackson was the only player in the NBA to score 1,500 points + 100 blocks last season, and reached a historical record of 100 three-pointers + 100 blocks for four consecutive seasons. His stay in the team ensured the foundation of the Grizzlies' defensive system. However, Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a toe injury while playing jungle ball and needed repair surgery. The expected recovery period is 3-5 months.

With Bain's departure and Zach Eddie's rise, the Grizzlies' tactical system is expected to change significantly in the 2025-26 season. In the second half of last season, with the dismissal of Coach Taylor Jenkins, the Grizzlies have shown a trend of shifting from a "no pick-and-roll system" to a more traditional "Morant Eddie pick-and-roll" model. This tactical change is likely to be further strengthened in the new season and become the core weapon of the Grizzlies' offensive end.

However, this offensive system also has obvious weaknesses. Because of Eddie's huge size, he can provide solid cover, but the problem of moving speed when defending the pick-and-roll was targeted many times last season, especially when facing small-line teams, Eddie's weaknesses inability to expand the defense will be infinitely magnified by his opponent. Once he is transferred from the penalty area, the space behind him is easily penetrated by the opponent's pass and cut tactics, so the new head coach Isalo needs to find a balance plan, such as letting Jackson play the No. 5 position at a critical moment, reducing the height on the field in exchange for defensive flexibility.

The Memphis Grizzlies in the 2025-26 season are a contradictory team. They have top-level league configurations in some aspects, and have obvious flaws in other aspects. They have superstars like Ja Morant, who can not only score on his own, but also create a large number of high-quality shooting opportunities for his teammates. This ability to break through and pass the ball is the basis of the Grizzlies' offensive system. The drawback is that mid-level defense often has huge loopholes, which is particularly obvious when facing teams like the Warriors with mature pass-through and cut systems.

The Grizzlies are in the typical dilemma faced by teams in transition. They have top talented players like Morant who can change the trend of the game, but there are still structural flaws that are hard to ignore in lineup construction. The team has a very high ceiling – if everything goes well, they can achieve good results in the regular season with Morant’s outburst and Jackson’s comprehensiveness, and they have achieved this at one point. But the lower limit is also worrying - once key players are injured or the tactical system is not working well, they may also fall behind in the fiercely competitive West. This high-risk and high-reward feature makes the Grizzlies one of the most unpredictable teams in the West in the 2025-26 season.

Fighting for a playoff spot next season is a pragmatic goal for the Grizzlies. Last season, they won the last playoff spot through the playoffs, so the Grizzlies are likely to be one of the playoff teams in the new season. It is very difficult to avoid the playoffs, especially after the Clippers, Lakers, Rockets and other teams continue to strengthen. The best possibility for the Grizzlies is to be ranked upstream of the playoffs at the end of the season, so that they have at least two chances to reach a playoff spot. If there is only one life, the fault tolerance rate for the Grizzlies is extremely low, and the chance of seizing their destiny is also lower.

In the environment where the Western Conference has emerged, the Grizzlies happen to usher in a critical period of transformation, so the prospects for the Grizzlies next season are like a high-risk and high-reward bet. Whether this young guard can break through the siege and successfully enter the playoffs depends largely on whether Morant and Jackson can carry the burden forward. Regardless of the outcome, the Grizzlies in the 2025-26 season will be one of the most eye-catching teams in the West, and hopefully they can find their place in the highly competitive West.