Memphis Grizzlies

Front office and bench

Ownership

Robert Pera

Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations and General Manager

Zach Kleiman since 2019

President (business operations)

Jason Wexler

Assistants

• Ryan SaundersLead assistant coach
• Erik SchmidtAssistant coach
• Julius ThomasAssistant coach
• Darnell LazareAssistant coach
• Jason MarchAssistant coach
• Brian CollinsPlayer development

The direction

What the franchise says and what its moves show

Memphis begins a rebuild after parting with Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant within a year. Kleiman insists he doesn't want a slow process: he's looking to establish an identity and surround the young core with veterans who bring good habits (Grant, Stewart, Jerome). The centerpiece is Cameron Boozer, whom they don't want to pigeonhole, alongside Zach Edey and Cedric Coward.

Building around

Cameron Boozer Zach Edey Cedric Coward Jaylen Wells

What they have said

• He acknowledges it's the start of a rebuild, but wants it to be quick rather than starting from scratch.

  Zach Kleiman, head of basketball operations · Grizzlies Media Day (Yahoo Sports / Memphis Flyer) · September 2026

• He expects Boozer to exceed expectations and doesn't intend to limit his role; he wishes Morant the best in Portland.

  Zach Kleiman · Yahoo Sports · September 2026

• He highlights Boozer's strong playmaking ability.

  Head coach Tuomas Iisalo · Yahoo Sports · September 2026

What the data points to

• Losing pays off Very likely

  • It owns its 2027 first-round pick.
  • Every loss adds lottery balls.
• Will hit free agency with cap space Very likely

  • It has 124.0 M committed for next season: about 52.5 M under the cap (estimated).
  • Expensive free agents can only go to teams with space or via sign-and-trade.

Moves

Summer 2026

• Brandon Clarke, on the roster since 2019, passes away (May 11, 2026).
• Ja Morant traded to Portland (June 29) for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray.
• Draft: Cameron Boozer (No. 3), Karim López (No. 21, acquired) and Richie Saunders (No. 32, recovering from an ACL tear); Bennett Stirtz (No. 16) was traded to Oklahoma City.
• In a six-team trade, Isaiah Stewart, D'Angelo Russell and a 2030 Golden State first-round pick arrive; Santi Aldama goes out.
• Trade with New Orleans: Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy arrive in exchange for AJ Johnson and Taj Gibson.
• Quinten Post signs (three years, $26.1M).
• Negotiated buyout for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who leaves for Philadelphia.

Latest

• Oct 17 Waived Waived F Zach Cleveland.
• Oct 3 Traspaso · sin oficializar Sources: Grizzlies waive Jordan Hawkins weeks after Pels trade
• Sep 28 Two-way contract Signed Carson Cooper to a two-way contract. Waived C Lawson Lovering.
• Sep 28 Two-way contract Signed Carson Cooper to a two-way contract.
• Sep 25 Waived Waived G D'Angelo Russell.
• Feb 5 Draft picks Waived F Georges Niang. Acquired G Eric Gordon from Philadelphia in exchange for a second-round pick swap.

The roster

17 NBA contracts · 2026-27 salaries

Strengths and weaknesses

Today's roster, facet by facet (league rank)

• Defense 27th
• Rim protection 17th
• Three-point shooting 19th
• Playmaking 28th
• Scoring 26th
• Rebounding 27th
• Offensive impact 27th

Roster holes

• Needs a quality bigIts best big ranks below 83% of the league.
• Weak in playmakingWith today’s rotation it ranks 28th in the league in playmaking.
• Weak in defenseWith today’s rotation it ranks 27th in the league in defense.
• Only 1 center in the rotationOne injury leaves it without a backup in the paint.
• 2 contracts too manyHas 17 NBA contracts and only 15 fit in the regular season: someone will be waived or traded.

Contracts and extensions

Expiring this season

• Kris Murray 25 years old · paid 5.3 M Restricted free agent Re-signing him would cost about 6.9 M a year
• Taylor Hendricks 22 years old · paid 7.8 M Restricted free agent Re-signing him would cost about 10.1 M a year

With an option next summer

• Jerami Grant34.2 M · can leave early

Bargains (produce far above their salary, for several years)

• Cam Spencerpaid 2.4 M, produces like 16.7 M · through 2028-29

Pricey but short (paid more than they produce, but ending soon)

• Jerami Grant34.2 M · 2 years

Money and picks

Payroll 161.1 M Cap 165.0 M Tax 200.4 M 1st apron 209.0 M 2nd apron 221.7 M

Payroll

161.1 M · under the cap

Distance to each line

tax: 39.3 M below · 1st apron: 47.9 M below · 2nd apron: 60.6 M below

Next summer

124.0 M committed · 52.5 M in cap space

First-rounders it can trade

2027, 2028, 2031 · holds 4 other teams’ firsts and 6 swaps

Radar and possible trades

Who could ask about its players

For now, no buyer fits what it has.

A trade that works under the CBA

Trade pieces

Assets

Cam Spencer (worth 14.1 M more than his salary)

Contracts that weigh

None

To match salaries

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (17.7 M)