The Memphis Grizzlies are projected to be one of the NBA's worst teams in the 2026-27 season, according to major preseason forecasts from ESPN and The Athletic. This outlook follows a tough end to the previous campaign, where the Grizzlies lost their final five games, including a 132-101 defeat to the Houston Rockets on April 13, 2026.
What do the preseason projections say?
ESPN's NBA Insiders published their 2026-27 standings prediction on Monday. They placed the Grizzlies 13th in the Western Conference with a projected record of 27 wins and 55 losses. That would put Memphis ahead of only the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings in the West. The Athletic's Law Murray, in his power rankings, was even more pessimistic. He ranked the Grizzlies 26th out of 30 NBA teams.
Both analyses point to the team's heavy reliance on youth. "The Grizzlies and Kings are relying heavily on rookie lottery picks Cameron Boozer and Darius Acuff Jr., respectively," the ESPN insiders noted. They anticipate significant growing pains as Memphis builds around its young core. You can track the team's progress against these projections on our [standings](/standings) page throughout the season.
Why is there optimism despite the low projections?
The Grizzlies are entering the first full season of a deliberate rebuild. Winning 27 games, while a low total, wouldn't necessarily be a disaster in that context. The organization has signaled patience, focusing on player development over immediate wins. There has also been some internal optimism about the team's direction that contrasts with the external media forecasts.
Finishing a season 0-5, as they did to end 2025-26, clearly highlights the current challenges. That stretch exposed issues on both ends of the floor. Improving defensive communication and finding consistent scoring outside of their top options will be immediate goals for head coach Taylor Jenkins. The full [squad](/squad) will need to develop chemistry quickly.
What comes next for the Grizzlies?
The immediate focus is on integrating rookie forward Cameron Boozer into the lineup. His performance will be a major storyline, as the projections hinge on his adaptation to the NBA. The front office has committed to this youth movement, so expectations for a playoff push are minimal. The season will be judged on development, not the win-loss column.
Games against other projected lower-tier teams, like the Kings and Pelicans, will be important benchmarks. Those matchups could determine if the Grizzlies can outperform their 27-win forecast. The schedule ahead is a long one, and managing player workloads will be key. Fans can follow every step of the journey by checking the team's upcoming [fixtures](/fixtures). The journey back to contention starts with embracing the grind of a full 82-game season.
