Ranking the 5 Most Important Grizzlies Players for 2026-27

The 2026-27 NBA season is nearly here, and the Memphis Grizzlies seem to have their priorities in order. Here, we'll rank the five most important players on their roster.

What does "important" mean here? That's a fair question. Memphis is a rebuilding organization, so we're not strictly discussing win-now value in 2026-27. These are the players the team should prioritize:

Even if sometimes it comes at the expense of wins.

Honorable Mention: Karim López

Arguably, López should occupy the fifth spot on this list. It isn't an exact science. The rookie looks the part of a long-term utility wing who can guard multiple positions, provide solid connective passing, and hopefully space the floor.

Memphis did some maneuvering to land López, and his draft selection drew plenty of attention.

López has tools, but he's raw. It's difficult to call him the fifth most important player on the roster when we're not sure how much playing time he'll get, so he gets an honorable mention nod instead.

For a while, Jackson II's name was prominent in trade rumors. Since he performed so well in the preseason, it's fair to wonder whether the Grizzlies may work hard to incorporate him into their long-term plans.

His preseason production became increasingly difficult to ignore, even as his long-term place in Memphis remained a legitimate question.

Either way, he's important. If Jackson II is a trade chip, Memphis will want to showcase his abilities heading into the deadline. If he is a cornerstone, they'll have to find as many minutes as they can despite featuring a crowded young wing rotation.

There is still a reasonable argument that Memphis may ultimately be better off trading him, which only makes this season more important for determining his value.

Jerome will be an outlier on this list. At 29, he's the only veteran.

Partly, the logic is the same as it is with Jackson II. The Grizzlies should be hoping to trade Jerome for a future first-round pick this season. If that's going to happen, they're going to need to audition him.

He's likely to be the best player on this team in 2026-27:

Until, ideally, he's contributing somewhere on a team that's ready to win.

The decision between Coward and the next player was a close one. He has every opportunity to establish himself as the second-most important player on this squad.

Spoiler: He's unlikely to hit No. 1.

Coward was impressive as a rookie. At 6-foot-5 with shot-creating chops and defensive versatility, he's a perfect modern off-guard.

NBA general managers already identified Coward as a potential breakout candidate for Memphis.

If he can maintain comparable scoring efficiency while increasing his volume in 2026-27, he'll leave no doubt about his status as a Grizzlies cornerstone.

Coward is an outstanding player, but Edey gives Memphis a unique edge. He's the single biggest player in the NBA.

Moreover, he's already proven himself highly productive. His health is the bigger question after an injury-plagued season.

Edey has made clear that he wants Memphis to turn games into a "slugfest", and his size gives the Grizzlies a way to build a distinct identity around him.

Can he keep his 7-foot-3, 305-pound frame on the floor for 60-ish games this year?

If so, Memphis may be able to exceed some preseason projections.

There was no doubt about this one.

Boozer is the team's franchise player. Everything Memphis does for the next decade should be built around his skill set.

The expectations are already significant. NBA general managers made Boozer the clear favorite for Rookie of the Year, and Memphis has already started working through how to maximize his versatility.

Boozer himself expects to have more of a perimeter role with the Grizzlies, which should give the organization an early look at how broad his offensive ceiling could be.

This year, they should get a head start on building around him. Handing Boozer the keys from day one would be wise.

If his inexperience costs the team, it'll pay off in the long run:

And nothing is more important than that.