The Grizzlies have an exciting season ahead. Here are 5 bold predictions for the squad.
Nobody knows what the 2026-27 NBA season will hold for the Memphis Grizzlies, but we have five bold predictions for the team.
How bold? That's for you to decide. Some of these might be out to lunch. Others could feel more grounded. As a new NBA season approaches, the possibilities are endless.
But keep an eye on these five predictions.
1. The Grizzlies Will Trade Ty Jerome
It's hard to know how serious Memphis will be about winning games this year — more on that later. Still, no matter how badly they want to win, this front office is smart enough to know they need assets above all else.
There aren't a lot of expendable veterans on this team who will yield first-round draft capital. Jerome, a 6'5" combo guard with a lethal three-ball and some playmaking ability, is one of them. A contender will need a player like Jerome. As long as he stays healthy, look for Memphis to move him by the deadline.
Unlike another veteran on their squad.
2. The Grizzlies Will Not Trade Jerami Grant
This prediction has very little to do with Grant as a player, and much more to do with his contract.
Grant is on the books for $34.2 million this year. He has a Player Option (PO) for $36.4 million that he'll almost surely accept ahead of 2027-28. It's hard to identify a player making that type of money who would be less valuable to a contender.
That sounds harsh. Grant is good, but he's a little overpaid. Unless Memphis is willing to take center Jakob Poeltl's longer, worse deal off the Toronto Raptors' hands, look for Grant to finish out the season in Memphis blue.
3. Cameron Boozer Will Be Rookie of the Year
If there's one player who won't be moved, it's Boozer. In fact, he's got a strong chance to be the best rookie in the NBA in 2026-27.
That doesn't mean he's the best prospect in his class — although that case could also be easily made. This is more about Boozer's NBA readiness.
AJ Dybantsa's poor three-point shooting will be costly. Darryn Peterson's efficiency is likely to be spotty. There are dark horse candidates, but Boozer's frame and polished skill set make Rookie of the Year his award to lose.
4. The Grizzlies Will Have a Top-10 Defense
The Grizzlies are in the early stages of a rebuild. Establishing an effort-based culture will be an important step for this organization.
That starts on the defensive end of the floor.
Memphis has a platoon of rangy wings who can guard across positions. Grant, Taylor Hendricks, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and Cedric Coward can help them deploy multiple schemes.
Zach Edey isn't an All-World defender, but he's effective in drop coverage. If Memphis can build a defense around his ability to occupy space, they'll have a chance to be one of the ten best defensive clubs in the Association.
5. The Grizzlies Will Win 40 Games
By contrast, the offense will struggle. Boozer will surely have a large role, and as NBA-ready as he looks, he's still going to be a rookie.
A top-ten defense is unlikely to result in a playoff berth. That's fine. That's not a reasonable goal for Memphis in 2026-27.
But 40 wins are.
The Western Conference is strong, but it's a bit weaker than it's been in recent years. The Clippers exploded. The Warriors are aging and haven't done much to improve. We'll see how the Trail Blazers fare after adding Ja Morant to a guard-heavy roster. The Grizzlies have a chance to surprise people.
Although anything can happen.
