Zach Edey has missed 87 games since Memphis drafted him ninth overall in 2024, and ESPN ranked the Grizzlies No. 22 in its three-year future power rankings.
The Memphis Grizzlies are entering a new era in 2026-27, and ESPN's latest rankings reflect the uncertainty surrounding the franchise's rebuild. Memphis landed at No. 22 in ESPN's three-year NBA future power rankings.
Memphis will open the season against the Utah Jazz on Oct. 21 at FedExForum, which will mark a brand-new era in "Grind City." ESPN released a 30-team future power ranking of teams' potential three seasons from now.
ESPN ranked the Grizzlies at No. 22 because of the questions surrounding the roster after moving on from forward Jaren Jackson Jr. and guard Ja Morant, leaving them to pivot to another face of the franchise.
Zach Edey's Health and Cameron Boozer's Debut
With the Grizzlies moving on from the Morant era, the next question ESPN highlighted was the health of Zach Edey. He was drafted by the franchise ninth overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Edey has missed 87 games since being drafted two years ago. While the Grizzlies drafted forward Cameron Boozer with the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, the team will still need Edey to be healthy.
Boozer is the face of the franchise and showcased his potential throughout both Summer Leagues. ESPN believes that he will challenge former center Pau Gasol's rookie campaign during the 2001-02 season, when he won Rookie of the Year.
Although the team moved on from guard Desmond Bane, forward Jackson Jr., and guard Morant over the last two years, the roster is now reset to rebrand and rebuild.
Memphis will have cap space over the next three years, and it may have trade capital as the younger talent develops.
Tuomas Iisalo's Second Full Season
Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo will enter his second full season as the Grizzlies' head coach, with questions surrounding his long-term job security.
Iisalo took over as the interim head coach late in the 2024-25 season after Taylor Jenkins was fired. The Grizzlies head coach went 4-5 in the remaining regular-season games, and Memphis was swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Last season was Iisalo's first full season as the franchise's head coach, and the team went 25-57. As he enters his second full season at the helm, expectations surrounding the team could increase pressure on Iisalo to deliver results.
The expectations around the franchise are to win 30 or more games; however, some predict that this year's team will win 40 games. Needless to say, the team will need to remain healthy through the long season.
Iisalo and his coaching staff will have to balance developing talent while putting the most competitive lineup on the floor nightly.
