Memphis Grizzlies 2025-26 Season Preview & Predictions
Yo, what’s going on, guys? And today, I wanted to talk about obviously the Memphis Grizzlies and their season preview and predictions. So, before we start today’s video, I want to hear your guys’ thoughts down below in the comments. What do you guys expect and why it’s going to be an interesting year for Memphis? If you guys haven’t been paying attention, this year is probably going to be one of the most pivotal ones. Last year, we’re going to say, was a second transitional year with playoffs hopes this year still alive. The Memphis Grizzlies look to rebound under Tomas Isalo. Tell me if I said that correct. Memphis enters a new era. Taylor Jenkins is gone. Tomas Isalo steps in with his European inspired pace and space system. The question, can the Grizzlies thrive under a new philosophy while navigating John Morant’s health and availability? That’s the big question. Memphis made a bold move by firing Taylor Jenkins right before last year’s playoffs. While Jenkins was a wellrespected for helping build the Grizzlies gritty identity, the front office felt the team at Plateau. Enter Tomasi Salo, who initially joined from Paris basketball as a 7f figureure salary lead assistant prior to the 2024 25 season and then took over at the end of the year as the interimm coach. Now entering his first full year at the helm, expect a noticeable shift in philosophy. While while he is a firstyear head coach with Paris in 2023 to 24, Isalo’s team played fast, free floating basketball, ranking among the top in France in Euro Cup in pace, assist per game, and three-point attempts. His offense emphasized constant movement, quick decisionmaking, and heavy spacing. A contrast to Jen’s more halfcourt pick and roll centric system. Defensively, Paris under coach Isalo relied on pressure at the point of attack and switching versatility. I guess for would it be versatility or versatility? It would be vers switching versatility. Memphis with elite defenders like Jiren Jackson Jr. and Contavius Codwell Pope could lean into this approach. However, the adjustment may take time. Since last year, coach was inheriting Jenkins schemes and didn’t fully implement his system. With the full off season, expect a quicker pace, more threes, and a greater reliance on wings to create ball movement. Now, James Jackson Jr. got the 5-year $216 million extension. Santi Andama got a three-ear 52.5 million extension. They got Conte Val Pope via the magic trade. Ty Jerome on a three-year $27 million deal. Jock Landell on a one-year deal. Cedric Coward in a draft night trade. They also have Javon Small. And they have themselves a team that look they lost in the first round to Thunder 40. Injuries derailed them. John Moran with his hip, Triple J with the toe, Zack Edy with the ankle, Brandon Clark with the knee. Jenkins conservative system was exposed during the season and he solo didn’t have enough in the playoffs. GJ Jackson’s emergence and Santiama’s steady improvement in the ability to play the three of the four or the five were some broad bright spots. The elephant in the room is John Morant’s health and re reliability for his career. Morant has averaged just over 50 games per season. His reckless attacking style makes him one of the league’s most electrifying players but also increased injury risk. Without draw, Memphis’s ceiling dips considerably, though the new system could replace his burden by spreading creation more evenly as they have Scotty Pippen Jr. in Tai. Meanwhile, Jiren Jackson Jr. remains the centerpiece of the defense, a perennial deploy candidate. Jackson’s rim protection and switchability give Memphis a foundation most teams would envy. On offense, he’s steadily grown into a legitimate 20 point per game scorer, and the Grizzlies made him their long-term cornerstone or co- cornerstone with Jaw when they gave him that extension. As we mentioned, they went 48 and 34 and the campaign ended on a sour note, being swept by the Thunder. injuries decimated their rotation, especially Jaylen Wells kind of like having hitting the rookie wall and their depth became a problem late in the year and they wanted to get a change. So to me, having kept their guys and then bringing in Contavius Cowell Pope who’s championship experience and reliable shooting and I know he’s not the defender he once was, but he’s still a good defender who fits a solo system. Ty Drums on a team friendly deal, steady secondary playmaker and him and Scotty Pippen are insurance plus guys you can play alongside Morant. Jacqu Landale is an affordable depth big useful as Zack Edy returns from injury. Cure Coward’s an intrigued rookie wing with great shooting ability and multi-positional defender. And Desmond Bane was traded to Orlando. Yeah, that’s a huge cultural encore loss, but they netted four first round picks and replenished their assists. not there sis asset base and Luc and Arco Anthony and Marvin Bagley were all moved on but the trade of Desmond Bane was painful but pragmatic given his injuries and expensive contract cashing in for future picks keeps Memphis flexible. The front office executed a strategic pivot, moved off of Desmond Bane at peak value, extended trip, you know, Triple J and Santia Lama, and they bring in Contavius Cowell Pope, a cheaper 3 and D veteran with Jaylen Wells, Contavius Cowell Pope, and Mr. Cedric Coward. You have three guys who are replacing Desmond’s Bane’s production by and maybe providing you better defense in the form of a committee. Combine that with Scotty Pippen and Ty Jerome’s steady presence and the young guys and Vince Williams Jr. as well as Gi Jackson, Santiama and Cedric Coward. Upside the Grizzlies balance short-term competitiveness with long-term flexibility. I think the interesting thing here is that you know John Moran KCP Jaylen Wells Jiren Jackson Jr. Zack Edy would be the starting lineup I think. Then with Ty Jerome, Santi Lama and Scotty Pippen with Scotty Pippen, Ty Jerome being these combo guards. Santi Lama being a stretch four, small ball five, big ball three, Brandon Clark being a versatile front court energy player, G Jackson high ceiling front court, Cam Spencer being the floor spacer, and Vitz William being a glue guy, Jock Land, PJ Hall, depth guys. I think having that elite defender in Triple J and rim protection and just size of Zach Edi they’ve got improved defense KCP Vince Williams Mr. Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells, all good defenders and they look they’ve got a lot of young upside. They have a lot of asset flexibility as they have a trove of future picks. They’re just trying to figure out will the John Moran ability of availability remain a risk? Will someone step up or will Jiren Jackson Jr. fill that number two scoring role? And will someone step up fill the number three scoring role after trading Desmond Bane? And that’s means leaning on inexperience and key roles. Rookies, young players may have to play heavy minutes and the offensive cohesion under brand new system may take time. Coochiso is an offensive innovator, but the transition won’t be seamless. Expect a more European system, heavy spacing, ball movement, and quick decisions compared to the more rigid pick and roll focus. If players buy in, Memphis could surprise. If not, it’s going to look rocky early this year. They’re above the tax line at $174.3 million, but below the first apron. Their non- taxpayer mid-level exception of 14.1 and by annual exception of 5.1 is still available, and they can use those in trades or sign somebody. Memphis has several midsize contracts and a war award chest of picks to chase another star if needed. Memphis, I think, is a team that at the very least is going to hover around 500, right in line with what the sports books are predicting. If Moran is able to play 65 plus games, I think 45 plus wins, 50 wins is on the table. If he misses extended time and the offense doesn’t click, they’ll still compete for a play spots thanks to their depth and defense. The Grizzlies are trying to get out of this transitional phase where they’re keeping competitive while stockpiling future assets. They obviously aren’t title ready today, but Jaw Triple J and the promising young core, they remain one of the league’s most intriguing long-term bets. And I think that’s why we’re all looking at this situation like what’s going to happen and why? Because this is a team that can they do what needs to be done? Also, will Cedric Coward be able to play well? Will Zak and Jaylen John Jaylen Wells be able to make an impact and stay healthy? Is Brandon Clark and John Konchar, you know, expendable and will they get moved? Does he solid system translate quickly in the NBA? Is a bridge year a setup for a big move in 2026 or are they actually going to go out and be competitive and be like maybe the Western Conferences Indiana Pacers? As I said, this is a team that I think at the very least is going to be fighting is going to be the sixth through 10th seed, depending on how things go. I think if they stay healthy, they could be the six and top and not going to play. But the downside is if the injuries pile up, the fans are going to get upset. But they should expect a competitive entertaining product. But patience is needed for Koi Solo system to take root. So, what are your thoughts? Let me hear them. Comment, like, subscribe. What are your predictions and thoughts on the Grizzlies this season? Or if there’s anything else, let me know.
The Memphis Grizzlies enter the 2025–26 season with a new identity under head coach Tuomas Iisalo. After moving on from Taylor Jenkins and trading Desmond Bane for future draft capital, Memphis is leaning into a European-inspired pace-and-space system built around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Key offseason moves included re-signing JJJ and Santi Aldama, trading for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and drafting versatile wing Cedric Coward. With GG Jackson continuing to develop and Zach Edey anchoring the middle, the Grizzlies have intriguing young pieces but face big questions about scoring depth and Morant’s health.
Can Memphis stay competitive in the West while laying the groundwork for a future star trade? Or will this season serve more as a transitional year for Iisalo’s new system?
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