Memphis Grizzlies

Free-agent center Joakim Noah is looking to sign with a contender for an NBA title after recovering from an injury suffered over the summer.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported the news Monday, clarifying comments he made on The Hoop Collective podcast.

"I don't know when he got injured but he suffered a significant injury from what I've been told and his career is really in jeopardy," Windhorst said before later tweeting that Noah has recovered and is working out.

Noah played 42 games with the Memphis Grizzlies last season, averaging 7.1 points and 5.7 rebounds per game. It has not been reported what the injury was at this time.

The 34-year-old has remained unsigned in 2019-20 but has a $6.4 million cap hit for this season and the next two years after being waived by the New York Knicks using the stretch provision. 

He was under consideration for a bench spot for both the Lakers (per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski) and Clippers (per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium) before the start of this year, but neither team added him to the roster.

The two-time All-Star was an elite player in his prime, winning the 2013-14 Defensive Player of the Year Award. He was named first-team All-NBA that season as well after averaging 12.6 points, 11.3 rebounds, 5.4 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.

However, injuries have damaged Noah's career since then, and he hasn't played in 50 games in any of the last four seasons. Knee and shoulder problems in 2017 limited his Knicks career to just 53 games after signing a four-year, $72 million deal in 2016.

Days before the start of the 2019-20 NBA season, the Memphis Grizzlies made changes to their roster by waiving two role players. 

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Miles Plumlee and Ivan Rabb will be waived by the Grizzlies. 

Plumlee and Solomon Hill were traded to Memphis by the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Chandler Parsons in July.

At the time of the deal, ESPN's Bobby Marks praised the Grizzlies for turning the $25.1 million owed to Parsons into two separate contracts that could have made it easier to make future deals. 

Instead, the Grizzlies simply opted to eat Plumlee's salary for the 2019-20 season. 

Per Marks, Memphis will have a $12.5 million cap hit for Plumlee. Rabb will only count $392,000 against the cap since he was waived before his $1.6 million salary became fully guaranteed. 

Rabb, who was originally selected by the Orlando Magic in 2017, has spent his entire career with the Grizzlies after his draft rights were traded to the organization.

The Grizzlies are entering a new era under first-year head coach Taylor Jenkins. Their system will likely feature a fast-pace style of play with rookie Ja Morant running the offense, along with versatile forwards Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke who can play in space on the floor. 

Waiving Rabb and Plumlee gets Memphis' roster down to 15 players heading into the regular-season opener Wednesday against the Miami Heat. 

Ja Morant has heard the Rookie of the Year buzz.

He just cares more about wins and losses.

"Rookie of the Year is not really my focus right now," the Memphis Grizzlies guard told Bleacher Report. "I'm just trying to be the best player I can be and do whatever I can to help my team win ballgames."

Morant's team-first focus is notable because the Rookie of the Year race figures to be one of the season's most intriguing storylines. The headliners include arguably the most hyped prospect since LeBron James in Zion Williamson, the future of basketball in the Big Apple in RJ Barrett and Morant himself, while the likes of Tyler Herro, Darius Garland and Coby White provide plenty of depth.

The new face of the Grizzlies may not be particularly concerned with beating out Zion and Co. for the individual recognition, but he isn't backing down from the best the NBA has to offer.

"The top players in the league," he said when asked who he is looking forward to going up against in his first season. "Growing up watching a lot of these guys play and now having the opportunity to play against them, I'm very excited."

Morant named LeBron, Giannis Antetokounmpo, James Harden, Stephen Curry, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George as examples, underscoring the daunting reality of playing in the Western Conference.

All except the reigning MVP play in the rookie's conference, meaning he will face an uphill battle while attempting to improve on Memphis' 33-49 record from last season.

It's no surprise he's eyeing the league's best players, though, seeing how he never shied from the top competition at Murray State. Morant played some of the best basketball of his career on the national stage of the NCAA men's tournament when he notched a triple-double in a win over Marquette and poured in 28 points against the ACC's Florida State in the second round.

He shot up draft boards in the process, and the Grizzlies jumped at the chance to take him with the No. 2 pick.

Ja Morant's (10 AST) passing ability 👀 pic.twitter.com/qE17tCaFY7

— Bleacher Report NBA (@BR_NBA) October 9, 2019

The last time a point guard was a top-five pick and tasked with leading Memphis into contention was 2007, when the team selected Mike Conley No. 4 overall. All Conley did was play 12 seasons as a Grizzlies great, helping lead them to the playoffs seven straight years and to the 2013 Western Conference Finals.

"Obviously, he's a legend in Memphis," Morant said of his point guard predecessor. "So I know I have big shoes to fill, but I'm not going out there and trying to force anything. I'm just continuing to play my game and do whatever I can to help my team out."

Continuing to play his game will work just fine for the Grizzlies seeing how he was a consensus All-American who did a little of everything at Murray State while tallying 24.5 points, 10.0 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game last season.

Basketball is not all Morant will play during his rookie campaign.

He revealed he has been a fan of the Call of Duty franchise since he was a child and is partnering with the game in advance of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare release on October 25.

"I'm excited to partner with Call of Duty and be able to have the new game coming out and just being able to play it," he said. "I like multiplayer, and I also like the campaign. I'm going to start my own campaign when the game comes out and it's my first time just to get a feel for the game and learn how to play more. And then go to multiplayer and start playing with my friends."

Morant may not be focused on the individual battle for Rookie of the Year, but there's one player he's backing in an NBA-wide Call of Duty tournament.

"I always got confidence in myself, so I'd still take me."

RJ Hampton will surely be in the NBA one day, but Tuesday's showdown with Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies proved he still has work to do before the 2020 draft.

The Grizzlies defeated Hampton's New Zealand Breakers 108-94 in a preseason game at the FedExForum. The point guard showdown between Morant, who was the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft, and Hampton, who chose to play in Australia's National Basketball League instead of colleges such as Kansas or Duke, was the main attraction.

Morant was quiet in the scoring department with just four points, but he got the best of the matchup with 10 assists, five rebounds and impressive defense.

He helped hold Hampton to just 1-of-8 shooting from the field for two points, six rebounds and one assist.

Memphis was expected to win, but the Breakers are no international pushovers. They have won four NBL titles since 2012 and added plenty of talent in Hampton, who was a 5-star recruit and the No. 5 overall player in the class of 2019, per 247Sports' composite rankings.

The clash with Morant was something of a measuring stick for him, seeing as how the Murray State product is known for his explosiveness on the break, ability to extend his offensive game to the perimeter, tendency to hit teammates with impressive passing and a willingness to battle for boards.

Yet, it was Grayson Allen—perhaps motivated by the opponent's decision not to attend Duke—who sent a message to Hampton with a block in transition:

𝐵𝐿𝑂𝐶𝐾𝐸𝐷 𝐵𝑌 𝐺𝑅𝐴𝑌𝑆𝑂𝑁 @GraysonJAllen pic.twitter.com/CnqMQwWCJu

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) October 9, 2019

Morant would not be outdone, shining with his impressive vision throughout and making a point of setting up his teammates instead of just going after Hampton. Jaren Jackson Jr. may have learned a thing or two from his point guard and turned heads with a touch pass out of the post:

That court vision tho 👀@JaMorant pic.twitter.com/hrZp5jXhdd

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) October 9, 2019

The touch pass out of the post???

Yo that's filthy, @jarenjacksonjr. pic.twitter.com/lJGTK0aW7U

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) October 9, 2019

The future of the Grizzlies was on full display in the game with Morant, Jackson (18 points, nine rebounds and three blocks) and Brandon Clarke (six points and 12 rebounds) all doing a little bit of everything.

While there will surely be some growing pains for the team in the daunting Western Conference, there is plenty of reason for optimism.

The Grizzlies now have some time off and will face the Charlotte Hornets on Monday.

Memphis Grizzlies forward Josh Jackson will start the 2019-20 season in the G League, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.

Michael Wallace of NBA.com noted this is part of a plan that could earn the third-year player a shot with the Grizzlies:

Grizzlies forward Josh Jackson won't attend Monday's media day or practice with team at training camp as he works to earn potential role in Memphis. https://t.co/JuW4FFeTtV

— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) September 27, 2019

Jackson was selected fourth overall in the 2017 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. He was acquired by the Grizzlies in July along with De'Anthony Melton, a 2020 second-round pick and a 2021 conditional second-round pick in exchange for Kyle Korver and Jevon Carter.

Jackson enjoyed some success with Phoenix, averaging 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game during his two-year run in the desert. However, he did not make the type of impact the Suns had envisioned when using the No. 4 pick on him.

The 22-year-old also ran into off-the-court trouble earlier this year. Back in May, he was arrested for attempting to enter a VIP area at a Florida music festival without the required pass. He was charged with escape and resisting arrest after attempting to run away from law enforcement.

He has also been accused of using marijuana near his infant daughter, resulting in the child appearing to be under the influence.

Jackson now faces a critical point in his NBA career. He is scheduled to make $7.1 million in 2019-20, per Spotrac. Memphis has until Oct. 31 to decide whether to exercise his $8.9 million club option for 2020-21.

Ja Morant will be a full participant in training camp when the Memphis Grizzlies report on Oct. 1. 

Per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the Grizzlies announced their rookie point guard has fully recovered from knee surgery in June. 

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Morant scheduled a minor arthroscopic procedure for June 3 to remove loose bodies in his right knee. His estimated recovery time was three to four weeks. 

The Grizzlies had no concerns about Morant's long-term outlook following the surgery. They selected the Murray State star No. 2 overall and traded Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz. 

Morant is going to be a key piece of Memphis' future. The team has a promising young trio that also includes fellow rookie Brandon Clarke, who was named summer league MVP averaging 14.6 points and 8.6 rebounds in five games, and last year's No. 4 pick Jaren Jackson Jr.

Since Morant has been fully cleared for training camp, he could see his first game action when the Grizzlies open preseason play Oct. 6 against Maccabi Haifa. They tip-off the regular season Oct. 23 versus the Miami Heat. 

Andre Iguodala and the Memphis Grizzlies are working toward a solution, though the end is not imminent. 

According to the Daily Memphian's Chris Herrington, the two sides have agreed to Iguodala skipping the Grizzlies' training camp while the team seeks a trade partner: 

"Iguodala will remain on the Grizzlies roster, likely well into the season. However, the team agreed the veteran can continue private workouts at a location of his choosing while Memphis pursues trades involving the former Golden State Warrior and NBA Finals MVP. 

"There is a mutual understanding, per sources, that the situation may not reach a resolution until well into the season. On December 15, players who signed as free agents this summer will be eligible to be traded, potentially expanding the range of possible deals. The NBA trade deadline is February 6th."

Herrington's update comes two weeks after a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium that said Memphis wanted Iguodala at training camp and was "refusing right now to engage in [a] buyout."

The Grizzlies' seeking a trade rather than a buyout for Iguodala more aligns with what Marc Stein of the New York Times reported was his market soon after he departed the Warriors. Stein responded to Herrington's report Monday, writing that the Grizzlies aren't likely to "just give away" Iguodala:

Agree with this. As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, Grizz have enough room under the tax line now that a small buyout would have minimal value. But bringing Iguodala into camp would have been a mistake. https://t.co/vBqewFurKD

— Chris Herrington (@ChrisHerrington) September 23, 2019

Iguodala was traded to Memphis from the Golden State Warriors on July 7 in a move to unload salary and make room for a sign-and-trade with the Brooklyn Nets for point guard D'Angelo Russell. The 35-year-old won three NBA titles during his time with the Warriors from 2013 through last season. 

Earlier Monday, NBC Sports Bay Area's Monte Poole shared a never-before-told story Iguodala disclosed to him at the NTT IndyCar Series Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday.

"So, I’m texting my wife, telling her I'll probably get traded because I think it's 100 percent sure, even though everyone else is saying, it’s only a chance. Then, once KD (Kevin Durant) left, I’m like, 'Yeah, I'll probably get traded. They’re probably going to do a sign-and-trade, so they can get something back, to at least get assets for him.’ No one was thinking that. But I was thinking they’ll want to get assets back because they can’t just let him go. And they'll probably move me as well.

"So, she asked me where I thought I would go. I said, 'I don’t know, I'll probably end up in Memphis or some s--t.' She says, 'For real?' I was like, 'Maybe. But probably not. I don’t know.'

"The next day, I got the message. It was Memphis. I fell out laughing."

Iguodala also detailed ways he's struggling to move on from Golden State, keeping in touch with his former teammates and not yet actually going to Memphis.

Iguodala could bring value to any number of contenders off the bench, where he excelled for the Warriors. He's especially appealing, depending on Memphis' asking price, as a low-risk addition in the final year of his contract. Iguodala is owed $17.2 million in base salary for 2019-20.

The 2019-20 NBA regular season begins on Oct. 22.  

It seems Andre Iguodala and the Memphis Grizzlies aren't seeing eye to eye. 

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Grizzlies want the 35-year-old All-Star to report to training camp while also "refusing right now" to engage a buyout.

Iguodala landed in Memphis when he was traded by the Golden State Warriors, for whom he had played for since 2013, in early July. The Warriors needed to unload his salary to acquire D'Angelo Russell in a sign-and-trade with the Brooklyn Nets. 

Prior to the mention of a buyout, the prospect of the Grizzlies trading Iguodala seemed more likely. At the time, Marc Stein of the New York Times reported that several teams were interested:

On a long list of teams interested in Andre Iguodala — Lakers, Rockets, Mavericks, Clippers, etc. — don’t forget Denver. The Nuggets want to bring Iguodala back to the Mile High ... as revealed in last week’s @nytimes newsletter. Sign-ups here: https://t.co/KwfHrDo8bs pic.twitter.com/IJONATNmdI

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) July 12, 2019

Stein added that there was "some belief within league circles" that the Grizzlies were prepared to keep Iguodala unless a team offered a future first-round pick in a trade package to acquire him. 

"To this point, I'm told this is what has deterred Denver," The Athletic's Sam Amick responded. "The Nuggets have had significant interest but saw the price as too high."

Iguodala's career started when the Philadelphia 76ers drafted him ninth overall out of Arizona in 2004. From then until 2011-12, his lone All-Star season, he averaged 15.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.7 steals across 615 games—all starts.

He spent the 2012-13 campaign with the Denver Nuggets before being traded to Golden State. While with the Warriors, Iguodala excelled as a sixth man and won three NBA titles while averaging 7.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.1 steals across 413 games (84 starts).

Should Iguodala remain in Memphis for the 2019-20 season, he would add a veteran presence to a very young core consisting of rookie second overall pick Ja Morant and 2018 first-rounder Jaren Jackson Jr. 

If the Grizzlies remain firmly against moving Iguodala, it "would prevent Iguodala from finishing his Hall of Fame career on his terms because this may be his final NBA season," per Charania. 

The upcoming season is Iguodala's last on his current three-year, $48 million contract.

The Ja Morant Era has begun in Memphis, and the foundation for the Grizzlies' future will be set this season. 

Rumblings of an impending Grizzlies rebuild started in earnest last season when the team traded Marc Gasol to the Toronto Raptors and reportedly considered dealing Mike Conley as well prior to the league's February trade deadline. 

Conley and Gasol were Memphis' pillars for 11 years together and led the franchise to the postseason in seven consecutive seasons—making it as far as the Western Conference Finals in 2012-13. 

However, the Grizzlies haven't made the playoffs since 2016-17, and a changing of the guard became inevitable when the team stumbled on their way to a 33-49 record.

Conley, drafted fourth overall by the Grizzlies in 2007, followed Gasol's footsteps and departed Memphis for the Utah Jazz via trade in July.

Now, the weight has fallen on Morant and 2018 fourth overall pick Jaren Jackson Jr.'s shoulders to do what the Conley-Gasol duo couldn't and win the franchise's first NBA title.

Below is an overview of what could transpire in Memphis during the 2019-20 season with an outline of top matchups and predictions.

      

2019-20

Season Opener: Oct. 23 at Miami Heat

Championship Odds: 1000-1 (via Caesars)

Full Schedule: Visit Memphis Commercial Appeal

         

Top Matchups

New York Knicks (Home Game: April 1)

Morant will presumably be linked to New York Knicks rookie guard RJ Barrett for as long as they both play in the NBA. So, naturally, watching their teams compete during their rookie seasons will be appointment viewing. 

Barrett was selected out of Duke by the Knicks at third overall, one spot after Morant went off the board. 

Prior to the draft, ESPN's Jay Bilas broke down the differences between Barrett and Morant—noting that Morant is a superior shooter and passer while Barrett gets the edge in transition, rebounding and defense: 

Barrett has been on the national radar for much longer than Morant, as the 19-year-old was pegged as the No. 1 prospect in the class of 2019 back in 2017, while Morant sprung into the national consciousness with his performance in the 2019 NCAA tournament that included the first March Madness triple-double since 2012. 

Now that each is a lottery pick with keys to two NBA franchises, however, the slate is clean.

Outside of individual performances, it will be interesting to see how Barrett and Morant play alongside their new teammates in order to elevate the Knicks and Grizzlies respectively out of the cellar. In a Grizzlies-Knicks matchup specifically, the duos to watch will be Barrett with Kevin Knox and Morant with Jackson.

Knox, like Jackson, is a forward who was selected in the top 10 of the 2018 NBA draft.  

       

Utah Jazz (First Home Game: Nov. 15)

The obvious through-line between the Grizzlies and Jazz is Conley playing against the only franchise he has ever known prior to Utah. 

The Grizzlies traded in Conley for a newer model, so it's only natural for comparisons between the two to be rampant.

At 31 years old, Conley averaged a career-high 21.1 points. What's more relevant as Memphis moves on to Morant, who has been lauded for his ability to be unselfish and facilitate an offense, is Conley's assist output last season.

From Forbes' Ben Dowsett:

"Consider two simple metrics that help illustrate the values of a lead ball-handler: Assist percentage (rate of team baskets the player assisted on while on the floor) and turnover percentage (an estimate of player turnovers per 100 plays).

[...]

"Last season, Conley's output in these two categories: 33.4 assist percentage, 9.1 turnover percentage. Doesn't sound impressive? It is. Just three other players in NBA history have even topped 30 percent assists with under a 10 percent turnover ratio in a season, most recently a young Tracy McGrady in 2003. No one has ever matched Conley's precise 2018-19 thresholds in the same year."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnWob1_sPAY

Morant is cognizant of all that Conley has left behind, and the 20-year-old spoke on the role he has found himself in during his introductory press conference. 

"Obviously, I have some big shoes to fill from Mike Conley," the Murray State product said, according to ESPN. "He's a great player. I wish him the best. I just want to thank [the] Memphis Grizzlies as a whole for believing in me and having that trust in me to pick me and put me in the position that I'm in."

The Grizzlies went 3-1 against the Jazz last season, and Conley was the leading scorer in all four games.

    

Prediction

This season will go a long way in establishing consistency for a franchise that has hired five head coaches since 2010. How first-year head coach Taylor Jenkins brings along the Grizzlies' young talent will serve as a more important benchmark for Memphis in 2019-20 than the team's record.

On top of Morant, the Grizzlies also added forward Brandon Clarke through a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 21st overall pick in the 2019 draft.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman projected the 22-year-old Gonzaga product to be "an impact rookie" with the potential to develop into a key piece in Memphis' rebuild.

"The best-case projection for Clarke shows him developing into one of the game's most valued energizers," he wrote. "Worst case, he's a defensive specialist."

All of which is to say, the Grizzlies are playing the long-game. 

Predicted Record: 30-52

Notre Dame associate head coach Niele Ivey has been hired as an assistant coach by the Memphis Grizzlies.

According to Notre Dame Women's Basketball, Ivey is the ninth active female assistant coach in the NBA:

☘️ ➡️ 🐻@MemGrizz, you got a good one.

Congratulations to @IrishCoachIvey, who becomes the ninth active female assistant coach in the NBA.#IrishInTheNBA #GoIrish pic.twitter.com/Mx26nqky7g

— Notre Dame Women's Basketball (@ndwbb) August 5, 2019

Ivey issued a statement via Twitter, thanking Fighting Irish head coach Muffet McGraw for providing her with an opportunity:

pic.twitter.com/BW4GVZuri2

— Niele Ivey (@IrishCoachIvey) August 5, 2019

Ivey joins a new-look Memphis coaching staff led by first-year head coach Taylor Jenkins. Jenkins was hired in June after J.B. Bickerstaff was fired following a 48-97 performance in less than two full years on the job.

The franchise is in the midst of a two-year playoff drought. It took former Murray State star Ja Morant with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft in June.

Ivey had been a member of McGraw's coaching staff at Notre Dame since May 2007. The Fighting Irish earned 12 consecutive NCAA tournament berths during Ivey's tenure in South Bend, winning one national championship (2018) and finishing as runners-up five times.

McGraw offered Ivey no shortage of praise in her Notre Dame profile:

"Niele is really a rising star, a rock star if you will, in the coaching profession. She does so many things for us, from recruiting to working with our guards, and every year she continues to grow and develop as a coach. She’s gotten more involved in adding new wrinkles to our offense and defense, and expanding her knowledge by going out and talking to other coaches about different aspects of the game."

Not only did Ivey spend more than a decade as an assistant coach at Notre Dame, but she also suited up for the Fighting Irish. She played for them from 1996 to 2001, leading them to their first national championship in 2001.

Whether as a player (two) or a coach (seven), Ivey has been a part of all of the program's nine Final Four appearances.