With the core stuck and the West unforgiving, Memphis may need to start over
The Memphis Grizzlies are 4–9 through 13 games and sitting in 11th place in the Western Conference. That’s not just a disappointing start — it’s a reality check. For a team once viewed as a rising power, the momentum has stalled, and the front office may need to face a difficult truth: this core isn’t going anywhere.
Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. have been the faces of the franchise. Morant is still one of the league’s most explosive guards. Jackson, now 26, is a top-tier defensive anchor. But the pairing hasn’t translated into sustained success. Injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of depth have derailed any serious playoff runs, and now the Grizzlies are drifting in the middle — not bad enough to tank, not good enough to contend.
And beneath the surface, all is not well. Morant’s standing with the organization has cooled in recent months, with growing reports of tension between him and the coaching staff. Whether it’s friction over roles, leadership expectations, or his off-court behavior in recent seasons, the relationship no longer seems as solid as it once was. That kind of instability at the top only makes it harder for a team to find direction — or accountability.
It might be time to break it up.
Trading Morant or Jackson — or both — would be a seismic shift, but it could also jumpstart a rebuild that puts Memphis back on a real path toward contention. Both players would command significant returns on the market. Morant’s scoring ability, star power, and contract make him a high-value target. Jackson’s age, shot-blocking, and versatility would appeal to any team looking to solidify its frontcourt.
The Grizzlies already have reasons to consider this route. The trade that sent out Desmond Bane brought back draft capital, and last year’s lottery pick, Cedric Coward, is already flashing serious star potential. At 6-foot-6 with a smooth shooting stroke and a natural feel for the game, Coward looks like a player you can build around — a future No. 1 option. In many ways, the foundation for the next era is already in place.
That’s why holding onto the current core might be more about comfort than strategy. It’s easy to stick with familiar faces, especially when they’ve helped elevate the franchise in recent years. But sentiment doesn’t win games. The West is deep, and Memphis, as currently constructed, looks like a play-in team at best. That’s not the bar for a team with this much invested in its stars.
The smarter play might be to pivot now, while Morant and Jackson still carry max value. Pairing Coward with more high-end young talent and a stockpile of picks from any deals would give Memphis a clear direction. It would mean short-term pain, but the long-term ceiling could be far higher than continuing to chase the middle with a roster that’s already shown its limits.
This isn’t waving the white flag — it’s about resetting before things spiral further. Memphis has options, assets, and a promising young centerpiece in Coward. That’s more than many teams can say when facing a teardown. But the worst outcome for the Grizzlies would be to hesitate, to hang onto a fading identity out of loyalty, and miss the opportunity to start fresh.
The time for hard decisions is now. If the Memphis Grizzlies want to get back to being feared, they may need to take a step back — and build again from the ground up.
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