The Grizzlies won 56 games in the 2021/22 season and 51 games in 2022/23, securing the West’s No. 2 seed in the playoffs both times. Despite their strong regular season performance, they only managed to win one playoff series over these two years.
For the 2023/24 season, expectations were tempered, with a projected win total of 46.5. However, Memphis fell far short, finishing with a 27-55 record, the seventh-worst in the NBA.
One major factor in the lower expectations was star point guard Ja Morant’s 25-game suspension due to another off-court firearm incident. After serving his suspension and playing nine games, Morant tore the labrum in his right shoulder during a January training session. His recovery was estimated to take six months, and he is reportedly progressing well.
Brandon Clarke’s season was also largely lost. He returned in late March after tearing his Achilles tendon in March 2023 and played well in six games, but the season was already over for the team.
Starting center Steven Adams missed the entire season after knee surgery in October and was traded to Houston before the February deadline. Marcus Smart, acquired in a three-team trade last summer (Memphis traded Tyus Jones and two first-round picks), played only 20 games due to various injuries. Desmond Bane, the team’s best player in 2023/24, appeared in just 42 games. The injury list goes on.
Despite the challenging season, there were some positives. Second-year wing Vince Williams had an unexpected breakout, earning a multiyear standard contract after starting on a two-way deal (though he was limited to 52 games due to injuries). Rookie GG Jackson, another former second-round pick converted to a standard deal, had a strong second half and made the All-Rookie Second Team.
With Morant, Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. under contract for at least the next two seasons, the Grizzlies still have a window to build around their core trio. However, with Bane’s near-max rookie scale extension kicking in next season, managing their financial situation will be more challenging.
