The Memphis Grizzlies are ranked a bottom-five NBA team in the new power rankings from The Athletic.
The Athletic's Law Murray ranked all 30 NBA teams heading into next season and he has the Memphis Grizzlies at No. 26.
Memphis went 25-57 last season. Next season's roster will look different, but Murray still thinks the Grizzlies will struggle.
Notable Additions: PF Cameron Boozer (R), F Jerami Grant, F/C Isaiah Stewart, F Karim López (R)
Notable Subtractions: PG Ja Morant, F/C Santi Aldama
"Memphis could use one more blue-chip swing, so it will be interesting to see how many of the veterans will still be on the team by the end of February," Murray wrote.
In Summer League, Boozer played well, averaging 18.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 45.2% from the field, 33.3% from beyond the arc and 77.3% from the free-throw line. The youngster made the Summer League First Team and led Memphis to the championship game, a contest the Golden State Warriors won.
Selected third overall in the 2026 draft behind AJ Dybantsa and Darryn Peterson, Boozer is expected to be a day-one starter for the Grizzlies alongside Cedric Coward, last season's All-Rookie First Team selection.
Boozer's combination of playmaking, physicality and positional flexibility as a 6-foot-10 forward has drawn comparisons to the multi-skilled roster construction that defined the New York Knicks' 2025-26 championship approach, per Tony Jones of The Athletic.
“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. Everyone on that team was capable of doing more than one thing. Everyone was capable of playing on or off the basketball. That’s what I feel like I can do best. I can screen. I can handle it. You can put me in a lot of different scenarios.”
The Grizzlies are expected to start Ty Jerome, Jaylen Wells, Coward, Boozer and Zach Edey next season. On paper, that's a pretty decent starting lineup.
Scottie Pippen Jr. thinks the Grizzlies will be fun to watch next season. Memphis opens the 2026-27 season against the Utah Jazz.
"I think just preparing as I always do, you know, getting ready this summer, working out every day," Pippen Jr. said, via ABS-CBN News. "Our team's going to be super, you know, exciting this year. I think a lot of people are counting us out."
