The Memphis Grizzlies are looking to restore their team culture by competing in the NBA. The Grizzlies were set to make it to the Western Conference playoffs for the fourth year in a row under Taylor Jenkins’s leadership, but he was let go before the season ever began.
Following a first-round sweep at the hands of Oklahoma City, Memphis dealt away one of its top players.
The 26-year-old Desmond Bane played for the Grizzlies for five seasons, during which he averaged double digits in scoring four times.
In addition to 19.2 points per game and a career-best 48.4% field goal percentage, he also set new career highs with 6.1 rebounds per game and 1.2 steals per game.
Sunday, he was dealt by Memphis to the Orlando Magic for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP), four unprotected first-round picks (one of which being the 16th overall pick in the NBA Draft this year), and a first-round pick swap for 2029.
The Grizzlies’ standout point guard, Ja Morant, was the subject of much online speculation over a potential trade.
The 25-year-old Morant is a phenomenal player and has been named to the All-Star team twice. Despite dealing with ailments and personal problems, he managed to score 23.2 points per game in the 2024–25 season.
A legendary Grizzlies player, Zach Randolph, got the number 50 jersey retired. A former standout at Michigan State, “Z-Bo” spent eight years with the Memphis Grizzlies.
While playing for the Grizzlies, he had his finest years as a professional, being named to the All-Star team twice (in 2010 and 2013).
Randolph shared some words of wisdom with Morant when appearing on “The Big Podcast” alongside Shaquille O’Neal.
According to Randolph, Ja is an exceptional player. He is unique, as I have always stated. And we really could use his help in Memphis. The city is that way.
There you have it. His presence is paramount. At this same moment, he ranks among the NBA’s top players. Because I’ve gone through hell and back, I reassure him that everything will be well if he keeps his head held high.
How you recover is what matters. Randolph is rooting for Morant to recover quickly and show his naysayers they’re mistaken.
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