Memphis Grizzlies

The future is now for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Years of rebuilding the roster finally paid off in a big way last season with the Grizzlies tying a franchise record with 56 wins. They earned the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and won a postseason series for the first time since 2014-15.

Memphis' season came to a disappointing end against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semifinals. Grizzlies fans will spend a long time wondering what might have been in that series if Ja Morant hadn't missed the final three games because of a bone bruise in his right knee.

Boasting a young roster on the rise, general manager Zach Kleiman shied away from making drastic changes this offseason. He did trade away De'Anthony Melton to the Philadelphia 76ers for Danny Green and draft rights to No. 23 overall pick David Roddy.

The main core of the 2021-22 squad is coming back next season to lead the Grizzlies in a loaded Western Conference.

Here's a look at the schedule Memphis will face as it looks to repeat as Southwest Division champs in 2022-23.

2022-23 Grizzlies Schedule Details

Season Opener: Oct. 19 vs. New York Knicks

Championship Odds: +2400 (FanDuel)

Full Schedule: NBA.com

Top Matchups

Golden State Warriors (First Game: Dec. 25)

Morant and Draymond Green got the anticipation for this game started earlier in the week when it was reported these two teams would play on Christmas Day.

That’s the power of your voice Young! Let’s goooo! Bring the fam to the crib for dinner after https://t.co/xs8GpKkQtE

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) August 13, 2022

Even if this were only a rematch because of their playoff series, it would be worth spotlighting because the Grizzlies and Warriors figure to be among the best teams in the NBA again.

But after their title win over the Boston Celtics, Warriors players stoked some of the flames still burning from the Grizzlies series.

Klay Thompson remembered Jaren Jackson Jr.'s "Strength in Numbers" tweet when the Grizzlies beat Golden State on March 28. He referenced it during his postgame press conference after Game 6 of the NBA Finals, nearly three months later.

Klay remembers ... 😳 pic.twitter.com/zkj8uAeeje

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 17, 2022

Morant later followed up with a tweet about the Grizzlies having "real estate" in the Warriors' heads, leading to a response from Draymond Green.

We traded that real estate in @JaMorant the property value was higher in Boston https://t.co/X7Du6zSiZF

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) June 19, 2022

The road to an NBA championship in the Western Conference still goes through Golden State.

The Grizzlies did have Golden State's number during the 2021-22 regular season, winning three of four head-to-head matchups between the two teams. If they are going to take the next step in their development, beating the reigning NBA champs is a good place to start.

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New Orleans Pelicans (First Game: Nov. 15)

Every matchup between the Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans is going to start with a discussion about Morant and Zion Williamson.

Williamson was the No. 1 pick in the 2019 NBA draft by the Pelicans. Morant went No. 2 to the Grizzlies.

Williamson has shown flashes of being a superstar, but injuries have limited him to just 85 games over the past three seasons. He missed the entire 2021-22 campaign with a foot injury.

Despite those injury issues, the Pelicans gave Williamson a five-year, rookie max extension worth $193 million in July.

Morant has been the best player selected in the 2019 draft. He was named to his first All-Star team last season, setting career-highs in scoring average (27.4 points per game), rebounds (5.7), field-goal percentage (49.3) and three-point percentage (34.4).

The first Grizzlies-Pelicans game this season will mark the first head-to-head matchup between Morant and Williamson since Feb. 16, 2021. New Orleans won that meeting 144-113. Williamson scored 31 points on 13-of-16 shooting with six assists.

Even though the Grizzlies still look like the best team on paper in the Southwest Division, the Pelicans could be a sleeper team in the Western Conference. Williamson's health is a huge factor in determining their ceiling, but the roster as a whole looks solid.

Brandon Ingram averaged more than 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game last season for the first time in his career. CJ McCollum brought an offensive spark down the stretch after being acquired from the Portland Trail Blazers in February.

If the Pelicans want to measure themselves against the best teams in the conference, the best place to start is with the top team in their own division.

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Season Forecast

The Grizzlies have the makings of a top contender in the Western Conference. Morant is on track to become a potential MVP candidate if he continues to ascend as he has in each of his first three seasons.

Jackson had the first injury-free season of his career in 2021-22. The 22-year-old responded, not coincidentally, by having his best season with 16.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game in 78 starts.

Things aren't going to start as well for Jackson in 2022-23. The Grizzlies announced on June 30 he underwent surgery to repair a stress fracture in his right foot and will miss four to six months.

Given how volatile foot injuries can be, betting on Jackson to be back at the start of the season is a risky proposition. Another year of positive development from Desmond Bane and Ziaire Williams will do a lot to elevate the Grizzlies' ceiling.

Even if Memphis is better on paper next season, it wouldn't be a surprise if the team finishes with a worse record.

The West figures to be better with Kawhi Leonard and Paul George returning for the Los Angeles Clippers; Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. coming back for the Denver Nuggets; Rudy Gobert joining Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards on the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Portland Trail Blazers adding Jerami Grant and Gary Payton II to play with Damian Lillard.

In a loaded conference, the Grizzlies will have to play close to perfect basketball all year if they want to be a top three seed. They should make the playoffs without having to go through the play-in tournament, but the health of Jackson could determine how high they climb.

Record Prediction: 49-33

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Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant learned of one of his Christmas presents months ahead of time.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported the Golden State Warriors are expected to host Morant and the Grizzlies on Christmas Day. The star guard was thrilled to learn of the news and is relishing another meeting with Warriors star Draymond Green.

we got what we wanted dray. 😤 @Money23Green https://t.co/fsJPffUBii pic.twitter.com/ti8PAdtMyC

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) August 13, 2022

That’s the power of your voice Young! Let’s goooo! Bring the fam to the crib for dinner after https://t.co/xs8GpKkQtE

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) August 13, 2022

Grizzlies vs. Warriors has quickly become a heated rivalry as Memphis has ascended as a viable threat in the Western Conference again. The teams faced off in the conference semifinals, with Golden State winning in six games.

Green expressed his newfound respect for the Grizzlies following the series, but that hasn't stopped him and Morant from exchanging the occasional volley on social media.

We traded that real estate in @JaMorant the property value was higher in Boston https://t.co/X7Du6zSiZF

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) June 19, 2022

"If I won a championship, I wouldn't think about no other team or what somebody said months ago" 👀

Ja Morant on his Warriors real estate tweet after the NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/hvnFlZSLmq

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 10, 2022

The outcome of one regular-season game won't shift the balance of power in the NBA, but Morant and the Grizzlies can send a strong message to the rest of the league if they walk into Chase Center on Christmas and leave with a decisive victory.

The Golden State Warriors and Memphis Grizzlies are headed for a Christmas Day rematch following their contentious Western Conference Semifinal series, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.

Stein reported Saturday the teams are tentatively slotted into one of the biggest days during the NBA's regular season.

The Warriors knocked the Grizzlies out in the semifinals en route to the first title of their dynastic run in 2014-15. The style clash between the two franchises lent a different feel to their head-to-head meetings.

But it wasn't until the 2022 postseason that Golden State and Memphis could be plausibly deemed rivals.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr asserted Grizzlies wing Dillon Brooks "broke the code" on a hard foul that resulted in a fractured elbow for Gary Payton II.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hwFrE_7ytU

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins then questioned Jordan Poole's culpability when Ja Morant suffered a bone bruise in his knee that knocked him out for the series.

The Grizzlies only lost Game 4 by three points without Morant and won Game 5 by 39 points. With Morant healthy, maybe they wind up knocking out the eventual NBA champions.

Warriors star Draymond Green reflected after the series that Memphis' roster "can be really special," per The Athletic's Sam Amick:

The only thing I can do is give my respect to that team; they earned that. You know, there was a lot of talk in this series of fouls and this and that, and this should be reviewed and that should be reviewed. I think it really started to take away from what was a really great, great, series with two amazing teams.

A war of words continued well after the conference semifinals.

Basking in the Warriors' NBA Finals win, Klay Thompson called Jaren Jackson Jr. a "bum" and a clown" after Jackson mocked the team's "Strength in Numbers" rallying cry earlier in the year.

"I can't wait to retweet that thing. Freakin' bum."

Klay's been keeping receipts 🤣 pic.twitter.com/WJReCAVukK

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) June 17, 2022

That prompted a response from Morant, which drew a reply from Green.

We traded that real estate in @JaMorant the property value was higher in Boston https://t.co/X7Du6zSiZF

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) June 19, 2022

The Grizzlies' swagger was their signature characteristic as they posted the NBA's second-best record (56-26) in 2021-22. That makes them a great foil for a team as accomplished as the Warriors are.

Facing off on Christmas Day is a sign of how important Golden State vs. Memphis has become in a short amount of time.

Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant is one of the brightest young stars in the NBA, and he recently received substantial praise from one of his rivals.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green was asked which young player reminds him most of himself, and he singled out Morant. The 23-year-old floor general expressed his gratitude for Green's compliments on Twitter:

wooo dats real shii 💯 https://t.co/1mEGSTQe98

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) August 11, 2022

While Green and Morant have much different styles of play, the veteran forward told the Volume it's more Morant's attitude and demeanor that are reminiscent of himself (h/t AFD's Jonathan Sherman):

"I ain’t bowing down to none of y’all. I don’t care what you’ve accomplished before I got here. That has absolutely nothing to do with me. I believe in myself and my abilities. I’m going to show you that. I’m going to lead. I’m going to talk to you and let you know about it while I’m doing it. I’m gonna carry others with me, and most importantly, I’m gone do it my way. And all of those things that I just named, I see Ja Morant do."

Despite the recent cordial back-and-forth, Green and Morant have traded barbs on social media a couple times this offseason, culminating in a challenge for a Christmas Day game.

It's clear that Warriors-Grizzlies games next season will be some intense, entertaining showdowns.

Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies reached an agreement on a five-year, $193 million designated rookie extension that could become worth $231 million, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Morant shared his thoughts about the extension shortly after it was revealed:

Memphis is my home 💙

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) July 1, 2022

damn pic.twitter.com/nU7WexVjN8

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) July 1, 2022

Morant became extension-eligible following the 2021-22 season, and a max contract felt inevitable.

"I'm definitely happy to be here," the All-Star guard told reporters in May. "Memphis is my home. As that go when that conversation comes up, I feel like it will be in the media for everybody to see. If your answer is do I want to be in Memphis: Hell yeah."

General manager Zach Kleiman struck a similar tone.

"I'm of course not allowed to say specifics on that," he said of a possible contract. "Whatever I'm allowed to say under the NBA rules without violating the CBA, I hereby say about what our plans would be for Ja as a cornerstone here."

Morant averaged 27.4 points, 6.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds in 57 games. He shot 49.3 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc. The 22-year-old's step forward was rewarded with the NBA's Most Improved Player award.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKAR4M1wwC0

The Grizzlies, meanwhile, tied a franchise record with 56 wins and earned the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Were it not for Morant's bone bruise in the playoffs, Memphis might have advanced to the conference finals.

More than just his individual numbers or the team's wins and losses, Morant has epitomized the ideals of a true franchise player.

Almost immediately the 6'3" playmaker understood the opportunity for him to become a symbol for the entire city of Memphis.

"I think Ja could retire a Grizzly because he sees himself in this place and this place sees itself in him," John Martin of ESPN Radio 92.9 in Memphis told Andscape's Justin Tinsley. "Ja’s not from here. But he’s of here."

Jerry Dover Jr., who coaches girls basketball at a private school in East Memphis, told Tinsley that Morant "will have an Allen Iverson-like effect on the city."

On the court, Morant's personality and confidence can rub off on his teammates. Throughout this past season, Memphis displayed an attitude belying the squad's general youth and lack of collective success.

Morant described the franchise's culture as "drippy" in a February interview with ESPN's Tim MacMahon.

"That's our identity, and that's going to continue to be our identity," he said. "Some guys don't like it, but it gives us an edge. It gives us a boost, a lot of energy out there on the floor, so we're going to continue to do it."

The "Grit and Grind" era brought sustained relevancy to the Grizzlies for the first time and yielded a trio of stars (Mike Conley, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph) who felt unique to the organization. Randolph was the first player to have his jersey retired by the team.

But with all due respect to Conley, Gasol and Randolph, Morant can be a truly transformative figure on a different scale, an All-NBA talent with the charisma to match.

Giving him the most money allowable under the collective bargaining agreement was a no-brainer, and there was nothing to indicate he'd hesitate to agree when presented with a formal offer.

Now, the hard part for Kleiman comes with improving the supporting cast around Morant to get the Grizzlies their first championship.

Veteran forward Kyle Anderson agreed to terms with the Minnesota Timberwolves on a two-year, $18 million deal, agents Thad Foucher and Joe Smith told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The Memphis Grizzlies took a big step forward in 2021-22, going from a play-in position the year prior to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.

To help the collective, Anderson had to make some individual sacrifices. The 28-year-old made 69 starts in 2020-21 when Jaren Jackson Jr. was out for all but 11 games. With Jackson back to full health, he took more of a back seat in the frontcourt.

Anderson averaged 7.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 21.5 minutes per game. He also shot 44.6 percent from the field and 33.0 percent from beyond the arc.

The 2014 first-round pick remained an effective defender. He held opponents to 58.6 percent shooting inside six feet, 5.1 percent worse than their usual percentage, per NBA.com. Opposing players also hit just 33.5 percent of their threes when matched up against him.

Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes questioned in March whether Memphis would go above and beyond to ensure the 6'9" playmaker returned.

"Anderson, having lost his starting gig this season, hardly seems indispensable," Hughes wrote. "Memphis could use his roster slot and freed-up cash to take a shot at Miles Bridges or kick the tires on T.J. Warren. Both would up the Grizzlies' 2023 championship equity."

When it comes to chasing a title, smaller-market franchises such as the Grizzlies have a much lower margin for error. They experienced it firsthand when their four-year max contract for Chandler Parsons in 2016 was a bust and almost single-handedly shut their window for contention.

Anderson obviously wasn't going to command max-level money, but general manager Zachary Kleiman has to be conscious of the team's finances. Ja Morant and Brandon Clarke will be restricted free agents in 2023, the same year Dillon Brooks is due for unrestricted free agency.

When it comes to role players such as Anderson, Memphis needs to be willing to hold firm at a certain price point if push comes to shove.

From the moment he entered the NBA, Anderson has been a solid point forward whose nickname (Slo Mo) succinctly illustrates his biggest flaw. If he were about 20 percent more athletic, he might be a perennial All-Star.

As a member of Minnesota's rotation, Anderson's role is unlikely to change much. He's a good backup power forward who can also be a small-ball option at the 5.

Tyus Jones will return to the Memphis Grizzlies on a three-year, $30 million contract, his agent Kevin Bradbury told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Thursday.

Jones was a standout college player at Duke, leading the Blue Devils to the 2015 national title while earning Most Outstanding Player honors during the Final Four, but he's still trying to assert himself as more than a role player in the NBA.

The 26-year-old Minnesota native spent his first four seasons with the Timberwolves and the past three with the Grizzlies.

He's averaged 6.2 points, 3.7 assists and 1.8 rebounds while shooting 43.5 percent from the field, including 35.2 percent on threes, across 455 career games.

Jones did show improvement as an outside shooter in 2021-22, setting career highs in threes made per game (1.1) and shooting percentage from beyond the arc (39.0). That helped him tie for 64th among all NBA players in FiveThirtyEight's offensive Raptor (+1.3).

In April, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins praised the impressive across-the-board progress he's witnessed from the 2015 first-round pick.

"He's just a great connector out there,' Jenkins said. "I love the spirit, leadership he plays with, the way he moves the ball. He's improved defensively from the first two years we've been here. He's taken ownership there. I love how he's shooting the ball as well. Obviously when he's played a bigger role, he's filled those shoes brilliantly."

Jones will look to continue those promising trends after signing his new contract.

He could have signed elsewhere for a better opportunity to compete for a starting job—Ja Morant is locked in as the Grizzlies' top option at the point—but he's found a nice comfort zone and decided to maintain the status quo.

Jones should continue to serve as the top reserve behind Morant, and he gives Memphis a reliable veteran replacement whenever the 2022 All-Star is sidelined by injury.

The Memphis Grizzlies used the No. 23 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft to select Colorado State forward David Roddy on Thursday.

This pick originally belonged to the Philadelphia 76ers but was reportedly traded to Memphis in exchange for De'Anthony Melton, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Kyle Neubeck of Philly Voice added that Danny Green was also sent to Memphis.

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Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: David Roddy

Position: SF/PF

Height: 6'5"

Pro Comparison: Admiral Schofield

Scouting Report: Picturing a 6'5", 260-pound wing or small-ball 4 isn't easy. But with Roddy's strength, mobility, scoring versatility and efficiency (62.0 percent on twos, 43.8 percent on threes last season), a second-round team will gamble on his outlier potential.

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Grizzlies Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Jake LaRavia, PF: rookie-scale contract

David Roddy, SF: rookie-scale contract

Jaren Jackson Jr., PF: $26.2M (2026)

Steven Adams, C: $17.5M (2023)

Dillon Brooks, SG: $11.7M (2023)

Ja Morant, PG: $9.9M (2023)

De'Anthony Melton, SG: $8.7M (2024)

Ziaire Williams, SG: $5M (2025)

Brandon Clarke, PF: $3M (2023)

Santi Aldama, PF: $2.6M (2025)

Desmond Bane, SG: $2.5M (2024)

John Konchar, SG: $2.3M (2024)

Killian Tillie, PF: $1.9M (2023)

Xavier Tillman, PF: $1.5M (2024)

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Free Agents

Kyle Anderson, SF: UFA

Tyus Jones, PG: UFA

Jarrett Culver, SG: UFA

Yves Pons, G: RFA

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Roddy was one of the most productive players in college basketball last season, averaging 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. Even as a go-to option, he remained extremely efficient while shooting 57.1 percent from the field and 43.8 percent from three-point range.

The junior was named the Mountain West Player of the Year while leading the Rams to a 25-6 record and a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament, highest in school history.

At 6'5", 260 pounds, the biggest question is what position Roddy will play at the next level.

The athleticism should give him versatility, having posted the seventh-fastest lane agility time at the NBA combine. Adding in his impressive strength, he has the ability to guard multiple positions at this level and make an early impact with his new team.

The Memphis Grizzlies selected Wake Forest forward Jake LaRavia with the No. 19 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski noted the pick came via trade:

The Timberwolves will land Nos. 22 and 29 in this draft, per source. https://t.co/a3G169rDdS

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 24, 2022

LaRavia spent the last three seasons emerging as a star with the Demon Deacons. He averaged 14.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in the 2021-22 season.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman ranked him as the No. 18 overall prospect in the 2022 draft class.

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Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report

Player: Jake LaRavia

Position: PF

Height: 6'7"

Pro Comparison: Georges Niang

Scouting Report: LaRavia quietly became a prospect worth taking seriously as his versatility for the NBA became more evident. Despite missing exciting athletic ability, the 6'7" power forward gets to his spots off the dribble, offers plus-passing skills, makes open threes and has excellent defensive instincts

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Grizzlies Active Roster and Average Salary (Expiration Year)

Jake LaRavia, PF: Rookie scale contract

Jaren Jackson Jr., PF: $26.2M (2026)

Steven Adams, C: $17.5M (2023)

Dillon Brooks, SG: $11.7M (2023)

Ja Morant, PG: $9.9M (2023)

De'Anthony Melton, SG: $8.7M (2024)

Ziaire Williams, SG: $5M (2025)

Brandon Clarke, PF: $3M (2023)

Santi Aldama, PF: $2.6M (2025)

Desmond Bane, SG: $2.5M (2024)

John Konchar, SG: $2.3M (2024)

Killian Tillie, PF: $1.9M (2023)

Xavier Tillman, PF: $1.5M (2024)

Free Agents

Kyle Anderson, SF: UFA

Tyus Jones, PG: UFA

Jarrett Culver, SG: UFA

Yves Pons, G: RFA

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LaRavia's impressive showing at the combine also helped his stock. He tested among the best players in this class from an athletic standpoint, soaring up draft boards in the process.

As it stands, LaRavia is a highly athletic 3 who will need to add more consistency to his jumper to make an immediate impact at the NBA level. That said, if he's able to knock down threes at a more consistent level, Memphis may have gotten a steal.

Ja Morant is coming for the defending NBA champions.

The Memphis Grizzlies guard said he wants to play the Warriors on Christmas Day in a back-and-forth with Draymond Green.

The Christmas Day matchup we need? 👀🍿 pic.twitter.com/Lyi5bPTHju

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 19, 2022

The Grizzlies and Warriors have a simmering rivalry, with now multiple members of the veteran Golden State unit taking issue with comments made by Memphis players. After the Warriors closed out their championship win over the Boston Celtics, Klay Thompson called out Jaren Jackson Jr. for a tweet the Grizzlies forward sent out in March.

“Strength in numbers is alive and well,” Thompson told reporters after the win. “There was this one player on the Grizzlies who tweeted ‘Strength in numbers’ after they beat us in the regular season, and it pissed me off so much. I can’t wait to retweet that thing. Freakin’ bum. I had to watch that. I’m like, ‘This freakin’ clown.’

"Sorry, that memory just popped up. Gonna mock us? You ain’t ever been there before. We’ve been there before, we know what it takes. So to be here again, hold that.”

"I can't wait to retweet that thing. Freakin' bum."

Klay's been keeping receipts 🤣 pic.twitter.com/WJReCAVukK

— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) June 17, 2022

The Warriors eliminated the Grizzlies during the second round of the playoffs in a hotly contested series, so the NBA could easily book those two teams for the Christmas schedule.

The NBA champion typically plays a home game on Christmas, and giving this growing rivalry a chance to shine on the brightest regular-season stage would be a potential ratings bonanza.