2026-27 Season Preview: Memphis Grizzlies

No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer joins Cedric Coward as part of the Grizzlies’ young core.

Offseason Recap

•

Last Season

: 25-57 (13th in West, missed postseason)

• Key Additions

: Cameron Boozer, Jerami Grant, Jordan Hawkins, Karim López, Kris Murray, Micah Peavy, Quinten Post, D’Angelo Russell, Richie Saunders, Isaiah Stewart

Every Grizzlies move this offseason

Season Outlook

The Grizzlies, after an offseason overhaul led by

the Ja Morant trade

to Portland, embark on a new era and search for a new personality. The Morant-Jaren Jackson Jr. teams are history. It’s time to make new memories and see where this journey is headed, and it begins with the prized top-3 choice.

Cameron Boozer

brings all the ingredients

for being a future franchise player — smarts, talent and youth. Should he fulfill the expectations, the Grizzlies will ultimately and gradually build around him, but first things first. Boozer will be given every opportunity to show growth and the ability to dictate the outcome of games.

The Grizzlies are also looking for more from Zach Edey and Cedric Coward, along with newcomers Jerami Grant and Isaiah Stewart. Edey, in particular, must rebound from injuries to bring stability to the center position. The new retooling process might take a while, yet if it moves in the right direction, patience will be rewarded.

Breakout Candidate: Cedric Coward

The No. 11 pick from the

2025 Draft

began to drop delicious hints after the Grizzlies traded Jaren Jackson Jr. last season. The situation that the Grizzlies found themselves in begged for a step-up player, especially with Ja Morant’s frequent absences, and the Grizzlies turned to a rookie.

Well, Coward played well enough to make

All-Rookie First Team

. He averaged 13.6 points and nearly five rebounds and showed lots of poise and maturity, mainly because, at 22, he was more seasoned than most rookies.

So it’s only natural that the anticipation will be a bit higher in his second season. Coward once again will get ample chances and touches to prove his worth because the Grizzlies are still in the throes of rebuilding. The 6-foot-5 swingman can become a fan favorite and solid complement to Boozer if he takes another leap forward.

1 Number To Know

31.4

— Ty Jerome averaged 31.4 points per 36 minutes last season, fourth most among 434 players who played at least 300 minutes.

Jerome played just 339 total minutes over 15 games, so that was a very small sample size, but he did average an efficient 22.7 per 36 over 1,392 minutes with Cleveland the season prior. Over the last two years, he’s shot 43.3% from 3-point range and a remarkable 54.2% on pull-up 2-pointers.

If he can maintain that kind of efficiency as a full-time starter, the Grizzlies will have a point guard who can complement their young and talented front line.

— John Schuhmann

5 Must-See Matchups

Oct. 21: Grizzlies vs. Pelicans

— The season opener will showcase Darryn Peterson and Boozer, the Nos. 2 and 3 selections from the

2026 Draft

.

• Nov. 16: Grizzlies vs. Wizards

— Another rookie clash involves Boozer and AJ Dybantsa, the No. 1 pick. Both are projected to compete for

Rookie of the Year

honors and look to turn around their teams.

• Dec. 1: Grizzlies vs. 76ers

— On this night, Stewart will get some reps against Joel Embiid, and the very next game makes a return to Detroit and against his old ’mates.

• Feb. 6: Grizzlies vs. Trail Blazers

— The return that all of Memphis is waiting for. What will the response be when Ja Morant is introduced? The Blazers will play in Memphis twice in three nights.

• Feb. 15: Grizzlies vs. Knicks

— In five games over a six-game stretch, the Grizzlies will get the defending champs twice and the runner-up (Spurs) twice. Plus the 2024 champ Celtics.

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Complete Regular Season Schedule

Preseason Storylines

The Grizzlies are anxious to see the early signs from Edey. The former lottery pick had a somewhat promising rookie season, then fell victim to injuries, appearing in just 11 games because of recurrent left ankle injuries, which have required two surgeries since his rookie season.

Edey is a mammoth (7-foot-3 and 305 pounds) presence in the middle, which gives him an advantage over most. He can be a solid complement next to Boozer. Yet if he struggles in the preseason, the Grizzlies might take a harder look at their options. That means more time and maybe an elevation to the starting lineup for Stewart and/or Post, both of whom were acquired in the summer.

Complete Preseason Schedule

***

Shaun Powell has covered the NBA since 1985. You can e-mail him at

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