Although the Grizzlies dealt with a ton of injuries this season, particularly down the stretch, there aren’t many long-term concerns among that group of injured players, according to head of basketball operations Zach Kleiman, who told reporters today that Ja Morant (right shoulder surgery) is the only one expected to have more than a month of recovery time, per Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.
“I would say he is expected to be fully cleared for basketball activities maybe halfway through the offseason,” Kleiman said of Morant, who is expected to be in Memphis rehabbing for most of the summer. “… He’s been very diligent with his work. He’s been around the team pouring into that everyday.”
Another Grizzlies point guard who missed much of the 2023/24 season for health reasons, Derrick Rose said on Monday that he has no plans to retire and expects to be back in Memphis next season, according to Cole. Rose is under contract for a guaranteed salary worth approximately $3.4MM.
“Yes, I’m coming back,” Rose said. “I talked to Zach, I talked to coach (Taylor Jenkins). … This summer, it’s all about attacking my rehabs, my workouts and continuing to be disciplined.”
The Grizzlies signed Rose and traded for Marcus Smart last summer, envisioning the veteran guards serving as mentors and veteran leaders for Morant during and following his 25-game suspension. However, Rose appeared in just 24 games, Smart played in 20, and Morant suited up for only nine.
Here’s more out of Memphis:
- While the Grizzlies used Jaren Jackson Jr. at the five frequently this season and will likely continue to do so, Kleiman wasn’t coy about the fact that Memphis intends to add at least one center to its roster this offseason, according to Cole. “I envision we’ll add at least one big,” he said. “Whether that’s a starting big or a rotation big, I think we have some work to do on the roster there. … We’re not trying to hide the ball on that.” The Grizzlies traded away centers Steven Adams and Xavier Tillman at February’s deadline.
- Memphis projects to have a top-10 pick in this year’s draft, but hasn’t decided yet whether it will keep or trade that first-rounder, Cole writes. “I think we’re going to be open-minded on what we can do with that pick,” Kleiman said. Obviously, no decisions will be made until sometime after May’s lottery, since the team’s plans for a No. 1 or No. 8 overall pick could look very different.
- Kleiman was noncommittal on the Grizzlies’ plans for Luke Kennard, whose contract includes a 2024/25 team option worth about $14.8MM. “Luke is someone we continue to feel strongly about,” Kleiman said. “Someone who is important for this team and this NBA. We have decisions that we have to make on him coming up.”
- As Cole relays, Kleiman lauded second-year shooting guard Vince Williams for what he provided the Grizzlies this season and said Williams will be an important part of the club’s plans going forward: “He is someone that we have confidence in to play a significant role. He can play different kinds of roles, but it will be significant next season.”
They will decline Kennard no doubt, picking up his option puts them over apron 1
He’s not a guy you cross an apron for, they’ll have their payroll sub 170 next year (coming in just below/ Apron 1 proj 171 m) – They’ll be seasons they have to cross those aprons but it wont be next and it wont be for Kennard
If they let Luke go they may wanna use that top8 pick on a shooter (named Reed Sheppard). If it’s a big they’re looking for tho I wouldn’t be too mad at something like their #6 pick & Marcus Smart for Clint Capela
I got them running to the podium for Clingan at 7 if hes avail
He gives me that Mem feel and is a perfect fit currently. Rangy ,twitchy, and tough: all staples of Mem basketball the last 25 years
I give you rangy. He’s literally the definition of plodding compared to other bigs in this class like Chomche & Yves Missi tho. And I don’t get overly tough vibes from him either. Clingan in the top10 is crazy fr. Recency bias is something I see soooooo much on this site & this is yet another example fr. He’s similar to a Walker Kessler but not quite as great of a rim protector or rebounder. Memphis is a team that would be looking for someone that could help immediately. Other than Sarr there really aren’t any bigs that project to be impactful as rookies. Trading that pick for a vet big or using that pick on a shooter seems like the move for Memphis
Only reason they should run to the podium for a Big in the lottery is if they’re able to get Sarr. Otherwise, they should be after shooting, especially if they don’t pick up Luke’s option. Clingan is ok, but should not be their priority. They can get a Big with one or both of their 2nd rounders like , Holmes, Dante, Broome, Onyenso, Dickinson, etc.
“…I wouldn’t be too mad at something like their #6 pick & Marcus Smart for Clint Capela.”
I bet YOU wouldn’t be, but there’s no way Memphis would ever agree to something like that
Here’s another Grizzlies note. GG Jackson is a beast… link to m.youtube.com