Breaking down the current situation of the Memphis Grizzlies.
- With nine games left in 2024-25 (44-29 record), general manager/executive vice president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman made the decision to fire head coach Taylor Jenkins. Through six seasons, the 40-year-old posted a 250-214 overall record and made multiple playoff appearances.
- Personally, I don’t think Jenkins should have been fired mainly because of the way he developed young talent/established a next generation Grit and Grind culture. Ja Morant & Jaren Jackson Jr. are both two-time All-Stars. GG Jackson was an All-Rookie Second Team member in 2023-24 while Jaylen Wells & Zach Edey earned All-Rookie First Team last season. Not to mention there was noticeable growth from Santi Aldama, Brandon Clarke, Scotty Pippen Jr., John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr., and Cam Spencer during his time as head coach.
- Shooting guard Desmond Bane also had success playing under Jenkins, but he was traded to the Orlando Magic back in June for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony (got bought out and signed with Milwaukee), four unprotected first-round picks, and a 2029 first-round pick swap. Two of those selections were already used during this past draft: trading the 2025 #16 pick & a 2028 first-rounder to Portland for the draft rights of 11th selection Cedric Coward (Blazers also received a 2027 second-round pick via Atlanta & a 2028 second-rounder via Sacramento).
- What Memphis got back in the Bane deal causes less daily stress knowing that you have future draft picks if things don’t work out with this current group. However, literally every player on the team is young enough where they haven’t reached their full ceiling yet (only player over 30-years-old is KCP). Trying to match or do better than what Jenkins built will be a tough task for new head coach Tuomas Iisalo, who I’m definitely not sold on yet (4-5 regular season record/swept in 2025 playoffs by OKC).
- Quick note: Ty Jerome & Jock Landale were signed this summer. I’m confident in Jerome following his breakout year with Cleveland (posted 12.5 PPG/2.5 RPG/3.4 APG/1.1 SPG/51.6% FG/57.0% 2-PT/43.9% 3-PT/87.2% FT in 70 games). As for Landale, he’s only played 12.8 MPG in four seasons. So, I wonder how many minutes the big man gets and the impact he’ll make (coming off averaging a career-low 4.8 PPG).
- To conclude, I would have rather seen the Grizzlies keep Jenkins longer and try to maximize this current young team until or near the time all those future picks eventually got used.
