After finishing the previous season 25-57, Memphis has reshaped a roster that once revolved around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. Both stars have now moved on, leaving the franchise to build its next competitive core around a collection of promising young players, veterans and one of the biggest prizes of the 2026 NBA Draft: Cameron Boozer.
Memphis selected Boozer with the No. 3 overall pick after his outstanding freshman season at Duke. The Grizzlies also acquired Mexican prospect Karim Lopez, giving the organization two intriguing teenage forwards to develop for the future.
But the Grizzlies did more than add rookies.
Veteran forward Jerami Grant arrived from Portland, while Memphis acquired Isaiah Stewart, AJ Johnson and D'Angelo Russell through its busy offseason dealings. Stewart provides another physical frontcourt option alongside Zach Edey, while Grant gives the young roster an experienced scorer at forward.
The result is a Grizzlies team that might be difficult to predict but should be fascinating to watch.
Memphis Is Starting a New Chapter
Trading Morant officially closed one of the most recognizable chapters in recent Grizzlies history. Memphis is no longer constructing a roster around the explosive point guard, and the earlier departure of Jackson means the franchise has effectively reset its foundation.
That puts enormous importance on the development of Memphis' younger players.
Zach Edey gives the Grizzlies extraordinary size at center. Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward, Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks and GG Jackson are among the other young pieces who could compete for increasingly important roles.
Boozer, however, has the potential to become the centerpiece.
The former Duke star averaged 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists in his lone college season while shooting 55.6 percent from the field. He enters the NBA with a combination of scoring, rebounding and playmaking that could eventually make him the focal point of Memphis' offense.
Potential Starting Lineup
Memphis' starting five won't be official until closer to the season, but this could be one possible combination:
Memphis Grizzlies 2026-27 Roster
The Grizzlies' offseason roster currently features a mixture of returning players, trade acquisitions and rookies. NBA.com's recent roster listings include the following players, although additional moves remain possible before the regular season.
Guards
- Scotty Pippen Jr.
- Ty Jerome
- Walter Clayton Jr.
- D'Angelo Russell*
- AJ Johnson
- Javon Small
- Cedric Coward
- Cam Spencer
- Jahmai Mashack
Forwards
- Jaylen Wells
- Jerami Grant
- Olivier-Maxence Prosper*
- Taylor Hendricks
- Kris Murray
- Cameron Boozer
- Karim Lopez
- GG Jackson*
- Taj Gibson
Centers / Frontcourt
- Zach Edey
- Quinten Post
- Isaiah Stewart
What Should Fans Expect From Memphis?
Expectations should be measured.
The Grizzlies are young, several players are still developing, and replacing stars such as Morant and Jackson represents an enormous transition.
That doesn't necessarily mean Memphis will be an easy opponent.
Edey and Stewart provide toughness inside. Grant offers veteran scoring. Wells, Clayton, Coward and Hendricks give the coaching staff developing talent to work with, while Boozer could accelerate the rebuilding process considerably if his college dominance translates quickly to the NBA.
For Memphis, therefore, the 2026-27 season may be less about chasing immediate championship expectations and more about discovering which players belong at the center of the franchise's next contender.
And all eyes will be on Cameron Boozer as that new era begins.
Roster note: Information reflects the Memphis offseason roster picture as of August 2026. NBA rosters remain subject to trades, signings, waivers and other changes before the 2026-27 regular season.
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