Memphis Grizzlies Come In at No. 22 in NBA Power Rankings From Heavy Sports

Broadly speaking, expectations are low for the Memphis Grizzlies this coming season as they work through the stages of their rebuild.

However, there has been some positive buzz centered around the team coming from certain corners of the league. One NBA scout said the Grizzlies are just a "point guard away," and an NBA executive said they are in a "really good position" moving forward.

So, while Memphis may not be a huge factor in the Western Conference this season, the squad may have a chance to be better than some think, and the latest power rankings from Heavy Sports seem to support that.

The Grizzlies come in at 22nd in the power rankings, ahead of eight other teams around the NBA and four other teams in the Western Conference, which would suggest an 11th-place finish in the West. That would put Memphis near play-in territory, which would be a very encouraging step even if the team were to fall just short of getting into the play-in field.

Last season, the Grizzlies went 25-57 and finished 13th in the West. This offseason, the organization has undergone a transformation, headlined by its transition to a new cornerstone player.

Memphis drafted prized rookie Cameron Boozer and traded away star guard Ja Morant, marking the end of one chapter and the start of a new one. While Morant certainly had some special seasons with the Grizzlies, it's easy to be excited about Boozer, who needed just one season at Duke to show that he was ready for the next level.

Boozer averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game with the Blue Devils and took home a long list of major accolades. He then continued to impress after being drafted, as he played at a high level in Summer League action.

But Boozer alone isn't the only reason that some people around the NBA are keeping an eye on the Grizzlies moving forward. They have a number of solid young pieces (Zach Edey, Cedric Coward and more) and loaded up on size this offseason to bolster their frontcourt.

Meanwhile, even though there's some talk about the team needing point guard help, Memphis has intriguing options in Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr.

The Grizzlies still have a long way to go before they can be considered contenders in the NBA, but there are plenty of reasons for optimism as they enter the Boozer era in the 2026-27 season.