The Memphis Grizzlies have officially entered a new chapter, placing their future in the hands of rookie forward Cameron Boozer. This shift comes after trading franchise cornerstone Ja Morant to Portland, a move that signals a full rebuild for a team that finished 25-57 last season and missed the playoffs. The young Grizzlies have shown flashes in preseason, most recently beating the Chicago Bulls 100-104 on October 9, 2026.
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo now leads a roster brimming with youth but short on NBA experience. The team's identity will be forged by Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, and a supporting cast of promising talents. Their immediate focus is the next preseason fixture, a home game against the Charlotte Hornets on October 16.
The Grizzlies are undeniably young. With the departures of Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the roster has been completely reshaped. GG Jackson, entering just his third season, is now the longest-tenured player on the team. The core that was supposed to raise Memphis-Morant, Jackson, and Desmond Bane-is gone.
Memphis added several pieces in the Morant trade, including veterans Jerami Grant and Isaiah Stewart. They also selected Karim Lopez with the 21st overall pick. The hope is that veterans like Grant and Stewart can provide stability and mentorship. But the team's success hinges on rapid development from its youngest players.
A major strength is the team's interior presence. Zach Edey, the 7-foot-3 center, forms a solid foundation. Adding Isaiah Stewart alongside him gives Memphis a bulky front line they lacked last season. Edey has shown dominant flashes, averaging 13.6 points and 11.1 rebounds on 63% shooting in the 2025-26 season, though injuries limited him to just 11 games.
Rookies Cedric Coward and Jaylen Wells arrive with All-Rookie honors from college. And then there's Cameron Boozer. He is already listed in early odds for the Rookie of the Year award. His ability to adapt to the NBA pace will be critical. The obvious weakness is a lack of experience. The rebuilding core features Boozer (rookie), Coward (second year), and Wells (third year). Staying healthy is another big concern for this group.
The Grizzlies have provided glimpses of their potential in exhibition games. After a 123-132 win over the Atlanta Hawks on October 5, they fell 118-122 to the Orlando Magic on October 7. Their most recent result was a 100-104 victory over the Chicago Bulls on October 9. These preseason contests are vital for building chemistry among the new lineup.
For fans tracking the team's progress, all upcoming games are listed on the Grizzlies' schedule page. The next test is against the Charlotte Hornets at home on October 16, the final tune-up before the regular season opener on October 21 versus the Utah Jazz.
All eyes are on Cameron Boozer. If he lives up to his draft status, he could be the linchpin for a return to playoff contention. His development is the single most important storyline for Memphis this season. Zach Edey's health and consistency are equally vital. When on the court, he is a force in the paint.
The contributions of second-year forward Cedric Coward and third-year guard Jaylen Wells will also be telling. They need to take a step forward. Veterans Jerami Grant and Isaiah Stewart must provide defensive toughness and scoring when needed. The Grizzlies have players with promise. Now they need those players to perform above expectations to avoid a second straight season without a playoff berth.
