The Memphis Grizzlies cannot afford to sit on the sidelines this offseason. The painfully obvious reason? They’re one superstar away from becoming a legitimate contender—and their window is now. After a lost 2024 season marred by injuries and inconsistency, the Grizzlies are at a crossroads. They’ve built a strong foundation with Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane, but in the loaded Western Conference, being “pretty good when healthy” isn’t good enough. The time for patience is over. It’s time for Memphis to go star hunting.
Morant will return next season, but the league around him hasn’t stood still. Teams like the Timberwolves, Thunder, and Mavericks are on the rise. Meanwhile, veterans like LeBron James and Steph Curry still command playoff gravity. The West is a war zone, and the Grizzlies can’t just hope to survive—they need a talent infusion to thrive. That’s why Memphis must get involved in trade talks for stars rumored to be on the move this summer—whether that’s Brandon Ingram, Mikal Bridges, Lauri Markkanen, or even a wild card like Zach LaVine or OG Anunoby if contract situations allow.
Memphis has what most teams don’t: real assets. Multiple first-round picks, young talent like GG Jackson and Ziaire Williams, and veterans on movable contracts. More importantly, they have an urgency no longer theoretical. Ja is entering his prime. Bane and JJJ are under contract but need reinforcements. Holding onto picks for some future window risks wasting the one that’s opening right now.
Standing pat would be a mistake Memphis might not recover from. With a healthy core and one more offensive or two-way star, this team could leapfrog into serious contention. But running it back without real upgrades means betting that internal development alone will close a growing gap.
Memphis has spent years building toward this moment. Now