Grizzlies Hit the Nuclear Button: Boozer-Led Youth Era Is Here
The Memphis Grizzlies are done with the old guard. Ja Morant is gone. Jaren Jackson Jr. is gone. And instead of clinging to a past that produced exactly zero banners, Memphis did the bold thing: burn it down and start over.
Last season was a 25-win disaster, but that ugly record turned into the No. 3 pick — and a new franchise cornerstone in Cameron Boozer. The Duke product has already shown out in summer league, leading Memphis to the championship game. This kid is the real deal.
Offseason at a glance
Key additions: F Cameron Boozer, G D'Angelo Russell, F Isaiah Stewart, F Jerami Grant, F Kris Murray, C Quinten Post
Key retentions: None
Key subtractions: G Ja Morant, F Santi Aldama
The Morant trade was the headline, but the real subplot? Memphis didn't get a single draft pick in return. That tells you everything about how far Ja's stock had fallen. The Grizzlies just wanted a clean slate — and now they've got it.
The big question: Can Zach Edey stay healthy?
Literally and figuratively, the 7-foot-3, 305-pound Edey is a massive piece of the future. When healthy, he's a dominant interior force with a soft touch and a perfect complement to Boozer's bruising 253-pound frame. But “when healthy” is doing a lot of heavy lifting. Edey played just 11 games last season due to lingering left ankle issues, including another surgery in March. Memphis added Isaiah Stewart and Quinten Post for depth, but the rebuild's timeline depends on Edey being able to stay on the floor.
BPI says: No. 24
ESPN's Basketball Power Index isn't exactly sold on the new-look Grizzlies, ranking them No. 24. That checks out — they're young, unproven, and have lost almost every familiar face. Only 22% of their minutes last season came from the 2023 squad that was the No. 2 seed in the West. That number is about to hit 0%. This is a full reset. The team also suffered an off-court tragedy with the passing of Brandon Clarke in May, which only reinforces how different this roster is now.
The X factor: Ty Jerome
This pick might surprise you. In 15 games with Memphis last season, Jerome averaged 19.7 points and drained 42% of his 3s, playing like an All-Star on a per-possession basis. His offensive box plus-minus was third in the entire NBA, trailing only Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic. If he can keep that up over a full season, the Grizzlies could be sneaky-dangerous and even make a run at the play-in.
Fantasy breakout: Cedric Coward
If you're hunting for a late-round steal, Cedric Coward is your guy. The rookie averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 47 games, and now he has a clear path to a bigger role with Morant and Aldama gone. He won't blow you away with his shooting efficiency, but he'll fill the stat sheet in every category.
The Grizzlies might not be back in the playoffs this year, but at least they finally have a direction. With Boozer leading the charge and a bunch of hungry young guys around him, Memphis just became the most interesting rebuild in the league.