The Memphis Grizzlies have landed at No. 26 in Bleacher Report's updated NBA power rankings, a reflection of their ongoing rebuild after trading star Ja Morant. This comes after a season that ended with a 132-101 loss to the Houston Rockets on April 13, 2026, part of a five-game losing streak to close the campaign.
Why are the Grizzlies ranked so low?
The ranking reflects significant roster turnover across the league and a major shift for Memphis. The team traded franchise cornerstone Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers this summer, officially entering a rebuild phase. Other teams made notable moves, like the Miami Heat signing Klay Thompson and the Denver Nuggets adding DeMar DeRozan, which pushed the Grizzlies down the list.
Memphis finished last season with five consecutive losses. Their recent form shows zero wins in their last five outings. The front office is now focused on acquiring young talent for the future.
Who is the new cornerstone for Memphis?
All eyes are on rookie forward Cameron Boozer, the third overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Boozer impressed during Summer League, earning a spot on the First Team. He averaged 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 45.2% from the field.
His performance helped lead the Grizzlies to the Summer League championship game, which they lost to the Golden State Warriors. At 6-foot-10, Boozer brings playmaking and versatility that has drawn comparisons to the multi-skilled New York Knicks roster that won the 2025-26 title.
"Versatility is the name of the game. That's what teams are looking for," Boozer told The Athletic. "Teams want five guys who can make plays. Look at the Knicks this year."
What will the Grizzlies look like next season?
Head coach Tuomas Iisalo is expected to start a young lineup featuring Ty Jerome, Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward, Cameron Boozer, and Zach Edey. Coward was an All-Rookie First Team selection last season, providing another young piece alongside Boozer.
On paper, this group has potential but lacks proven NBA experience. The team's full schedule and player stats for the upcoming season can be tracked on our [fixtures](/fixtures) and [stats](/stats) pages. They will likely be a fun, energetic team to watch but are projected to struggle in the win column.
Analyst Tony Jones of The Athletic noted Boozer's combination of skills mirrors the Knicks' championship approach. Boozer believes his ability to screen, handle the ball, and adapt to different scenarios is his greatest strength.
What is the long-term plan for the Grizzlies?
The front office accepts that being a lottery team next season is part of the process. This strategy allows them to acquire more high-end draft talent to build around Boozer in the coming years. The goal is to assemble a core that can grow together.
Fans should expect a season focused on player development rather than playoff contention. The young roster will get plenty of minutes to prove themselves. Checking the [standings](/standings) will show their progress against established Western Conference teams.
The Grizzlies may be near the bottom of the power rankings now, but they have a clear direction. Success will be measured by the growth of Boozer, Coward, and the other young players on the roster as they look to climb back up the NBA hierarchy.
