The Memphis Grizzlies got a bottom-tier NBA preseason power ranking from Yahoo Sports. Find out where they landed.
Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor ranked the Memphis Grizzlies 24th in his NBA preseason power rankings.
Memphis is one spot ahead of the Chicago Bulls and one spot behind the Washington Wizards.
The Grizzlies basically have a new team after a busy offseason.
Additions: F Cameron Boozer, F Jerami Grant, G Jordan Hawkins, F Karim López, F Kris Murray, G Micah Peavy, C Quinten Post, G D’Angelo Russell, G Richie Saunders, F Isaiah Stewart
Subtractions: F Santi Aldama, G Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, F Taj Gibson, G Ja Morant
The Grizzlies went 25-57 last season. They traded Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason and drafted their new franchise player, Boozer.
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 next season 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 widely expected to start Ty Jerome, Jaylen Wells, Coward, Boozer and Zach Edey next season.
On paper, that's a pretty decent starting lineup for Iisalo.
The Grizzlies may be fun to watch next season, but they will likely be a lottery team.
However, in the long run, that's good so that the front office can acquire more talent around Boozer in future drafts.
