Grizzlies Rumors

Grizzlies Exercise 2026/27 Option On Zach Edey

The Grizzlies have exercised their 2026/27 option on Zach Edey‘s contract, the team’s PR department tweets. The cap hit on Edey’s third season in the league will be $6,332,760.

[RELATED: Decisions On 2026/27 Rookie Scale Team Options]

Memphis had until the end of the month to exercise that option but it was foregone conclusion that would happen. Edey was the ninth pick of last year’s draft and started a majority of the team’s games. He appeared in 66 overall (55 starts) and averaged 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 1.o assists and 1.3 blocks in 21.5 minutes per contest.

The two-time National College Player of the Year at Purdue was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

Edey underwent ankle surgery in June and is still several weeks away from returning to action.

Grizzlies’ Pippen Undergoes Toe Surgery, Out At Least 12 Weeks

Oct. 21: The surgery on Pippen’s left big toe took place on Tuesday, the team’s PR department tweets. As initially reported, he’ll be reevaluated in approximately 12 weeks, according to the Grizzlies.


Oct. 18: Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. is undergoing a sesamoidectomy to address a lingering left big toe injury, the team announced in a press release (Twitter link).

Memphis said a return timeline wouldn’t be given until after the procedure, but Pippen is expected to make a full recovery. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, who first reported the news (via Twitter), Pippen is expected to miss at least 12 weeks, which is when he’ll be reevaluated.

It’s a tough blow for the Grizzlies, who have been hit hard by injuries over the past couple years, a trend that has continued before the 2025/26 regular season even gets underway.

In addition to Pippen, who reportedly won’t make his season debut until at least January, second-year center Zach Edey continues to recover from left ankle surgery, veteran big man Brandon Clarke recently underwent a knee procedure, and star point guard Ja Morant has been battling a left ankle sprain. The team is optimistic that Morant might be ready for next week’s season opener, but Edey and Clarke may not be back until November.

Former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. also went offseason surgery to address a turf toe injury, but he should be ready for the opener after appearing in the team’s final two preseason contests.

Pippen, who turns 25 next month, was a key reserve for the Grizzlies last season, appearing in a career-high 79 games while averaging 9.9 points, 4.4 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 21.3 minutes per night. He posted a shooting slash line of .480/.397/.713.

Ty Jerome would typically be a prime candidate for more playing time with Pippen out, but he might be sidelined for a while too — he exited Friday’s preseason finale with a right calf injury, per the team (Twitter link), and will be reevaluated this weekend, according to head coach Tuomas Iisalo (Twitter link via Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com).

Second-year guard Cam Spencer and rookie second-rounder Javon Small, who is on a two-way deal, should receive additional run in the Grizzlies’ backcourt.

Ja Morant Expected To Play In Grizzlies’ Season Opener

Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant is expected to play in Wednesday’s regular season opener vs. New Orleans after missing the entire preseason with a sprained left ankle, writes Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (subscription required).

Ja is progressing really well,” head coach Tuomas Iisalo said after Monday’s practice. “He’s expected to make a return on opening night.”

As Cole notes, Morant sustained the injury during a practice on October 5. He was considered week-to-week at the time, and it sounds like he’ll be ready to go about two-and-a-half weeks later.

Morant, a two-time All-Star, only played nine games in 2023/24 — he was suspended for the first 25 games of the campaign, then underwent season-ending surgery in January 2024 to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The 26-year-old was plagued by health issues last season as well, appearing in 50 games due to a variety of injuries, including repeated problems with the same shoulder.

Morant’s return appearing imminent is certainly good news for Memphis, which will be shorthanded in the backcourt before the season even begins — Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe surgery) is out 12-plus weeks, while Ty Jerome (right calf strain) will miss at least four.

Iisalo also provided a minor injury update on fourth-year wing Vince Williams Jr., Cole adds. Williams, who was limited to just 27 games last season due to injuries and missed some time during the preseason, is battling “nagging heel soreness,” an issue the team continues to monitor.

Grizzlies’ Ty Jerome Out At Least Four Weeks With Calf Strain

Ty Jerome has been diagnosed with a high-grade right calf strain and will be out at least four weeks, which is when he’ll be reexamined, the Grizzlies announced in a press release (Twitter link).

Jerome sustained the injury in Friday’s preseason finale vs. Miami. He was a key free agent addition this summer for Memphis, which signed the 28-year-old combo guard to a three-year, $27.7MM deal using the room exception.

It’s another unfortunate injury development for the Grizzlies, who will be without Scotty Pippen Jr. for at least 12 weeks due to left big toe surgery. Zach Edey (offseason ankle surgery) and Brandon Clarke (knee surgery) are among the other projected rotation players expected to miss time to open the new season.

With all four players expected to miss multiple weeks, the Grizzlies should qualify for a 10-day hardship exception after their third game of the season, observes Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian (Twitter link). Herrington lists a handful of free agents — including Charles Bassey and Jared Butler — who could appeal to the Grizzlies, depending on whether they prioritize a big man or a guard.

A hardship exception allows a team to temporarily add a 16th man if there are at least four players on the roster who have missed three or more consecutive games and project to remain sidelined for at least two more weeks.

Jerome averaged 12.5 points, 3.4 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 70 games last season for Cleveland (19.9 minutes per contest). He also posted an elite shooting line of .516/.439/.872 and finished third in voting for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

Rookie second-rounder Javon Small and second-year guard Cam Spencer are among the candidates for more playing time in the Grizzlies’ backcourt.

Injuries Leave Grizzlies Seeking Backcourt Help

The Grizzlies are considering adding another guard in the wake of multiple backcourt injuries, league sources tell Grant Afseth of RG.org. Memphis’ front office is looking at internal and external options to stabilize the team’s depth chart, Afseth adds.

Scotty Pippen Jr. became the latest significant loss over the weekend as the team announced that he’ll undergo surgery on his left big toe. Pippen doesn’t have a projected timeline to return, but he won’t be reevaluated for 12 weeks. He averaged 9.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 79 games last season and made 21 starts.

Ja Morant is week-to-week after spraining his left ankle during practice in early October. There’s hope that he’ll be ready for Wednesday’s opener, but his status remains uncertain. Coach Tuomas Iisalo said Morant is “progressing really well” and was able to participate in the shootaround before Friday’s preseason finale in Miami.

“Ja continues to work with our group,” Iisalo said. “He’s ramping up well, but we’ll keep being cautious.”

[Update: Morant is expected to play in Memphis’ opener].

The injury issues mounted when offseason addition Ty Jerome left Friday’s game early after hurting his right calf. No updates have been provided on his condition, but he may also have to miss some time.

[Update: Jerome will miss at least four weeks with a high-grade right calf strain].

Afseth states that Memphis is assessing the players who became available Saturday when most teams made their final roster cuts. The Grizzlies are already at the maximum of 15 standard contracts, but they could open a two-way slot to get guard help while their rotation players heal. That would mean waiving either PJ Hall, Olivier-Maxence Prosper or Javon Small, the team’s current two-way players.

Small could be an option if Memphis decides to address the problem internally, Afseth adds. The rookie out of West Virginia was impressive during the preseason, averaging 10.8 points, 4.8 assists and 1.8 rebounds in four games while shooting 44.7% from the field and 52.9% from three-point range.

Grizzlies Waive Nate Hinton, DeJon Jarreau, Braxton Key

The Grizzlies have set their regular season roster by waiving swingman Nate Hinton, guard DeJon Jarreau, and forward Braxton Key, the team announced today in a press release (Twitter link).

Hinton and Jarreau both signed with Memphis within the past couple days, whereas Key was with the team for all of training camp and the preseason. Key appeared in just one of the Grizzlies’ preseason games, contributing eight points and six rebounds in 17 minutes of action.

All three players were on Exhibit 10 contracts and seem likely to end up with the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ G League team. Assuming they spend at least 60 days with the Hustle, Hinton, Jarreau, and Key will receive bonuses worth up to $85,300 on top of their standard G League salaries.

The Grizzlies had been carrying a full 21-man preseason roster. This series of cuts moves that number to 18.

With 15 players on standard guaranteed contracts and three on two-way deals, Memphis will have a full roster to open the season and will need to lean on its depth early. The club is already dealing with a series of injuries — the latest blow was to the backcourt, where Scotty Pippen Jr. will reportedly be sidelined into the new year after undergoing toe surgery.

Grizzlies Sign DeJon Jarreau, Waive Lawson Lovering

The Grizzlies have signed guard DeJon Jarreau and waived center Lawson Lovering, according to a team press release (Twitter link). Terms weren’t made available but Jarreau likely received a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal, as Memphis already has 15 players on guaranteed contracts.

Jarreau appeared in 10 games as a reserve in two NBA seasons (2021/22 and ’23/24) with the Pacers and Grizzlies, averaging 4.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 15.1 minutes. The 27-year-old, who went undrafted in 2021 out of Houston, played with Indiana on a two-way deal and with Memphis on a pair of 10-day contracts.

The New Orleans native also has competed in 67 total games (27 starts) in two seasons with the NBA G League’s Fort Wayne Mad Ants, Texas Legends, Capital City Go-Go and Memphis Hustle, averaging 13.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 23.9 minutes per contest at the NBAGL level.

Lovering was signed by Memphis on an Exhibit 10 deal in early September. He played four preseason games for the Grizzlies and averaged 2.0 points and 2.5 rebounds in 9.5 minutes. The 22-year-old Wyoming native went unselected in the 2025 draft after his final collegiate season at Utah.

Lovering will probably head to the Memphis Hustle, the team’s G League affiliate, where he’ll be eligible for a bonus worth $50,000 if spends at least 60 days with the club. Jarreau will likely wind up getting waived and joining the Hustle as well.

Grizzlies Sign Nate Hinton, Waive Charlie Brown Jr.

The Grizzlies have made a minor change to their roster ahead of Friday’s preseason finale, announcing today (via Twitter) that they’ve signed swingman Nate Hinton and waived guard Charlie Brown Jr.

Hinton, 26, appeared in 38 regular season games for Dallas, Indiana, and Houston from 2021-24 but was out of the league last year after being waived by the Rockets ahead of opening night.

Hinton appeared in a total of 37 games in the G League in 2024/25 for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers and the Memphis Hustle, the Grizzlies’ affiliate. He averaged 12.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.7 steals in 29.4 minutes per game, with a shooting line of .483/.378/.614.

The 6’5″ guard/forward appears likely to report back to the Hustle this fall. Assuming he signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Grizzlies, which is likely, he’ll be eligible to earn a bonus worth up to $85,300 if he’s waived and then spends at least 60 days with Memphis’ affiliate.

That’s also likely the plan for Brown, who signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Grizzlies earlier this week.

Warriors, Lakers Top 2025 NBA Franchise Valuations

The Warriors are still the NBA’s most valuable team, according to Kurt Badenhausen of Sportico, who unveiled the website’s updated NBA franchise valuations for 2025 on Thursday.

Badenhausen projects the Warriors’ value at $11.33 billion, which represents an incredible 24% increase from last year’s $9.14 billion valuation. The NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, at $12.8 billion, continue to be the only global sports franchise whose valuation comes in higher than Golden State’s, according to Sportico’s projections.

As Badenhausen outlines, the Warriors lead the NBA in revenue by a significant margin, having generated an estimated $833MM last season. Golden State makes more than $5MM per game in ticket revenue, along with $2.5MM from luxury suites; the club also has a $45MM per year jersey patch deal with Rakuten, earns almost double what any other team makes in sponsorship revenue, and is one of the few teams to fully own and operate its arena, per Sportico.

After placing third a year ago, the Lakers have jumped to second place on Sportico’s 2025 list at $10 billion, based on Mark Walter‘s recent agreement to purchase the team at that valuation. The Lakers moved slightly ahead of the third-place Knicks, who come in at $9.85 billion.

Every team’s valuation has increased by at least 9% since last year, per Sportico, with the average value of an NBA franchise now at $5.51 billion (up 20% from 2024) and no team worth less than $4 billion.

The average valuation has more than doubled since 2022, when it was $2.58 billion. As Badenhausen writes, the NBA’s new $76 billion media rights deal and its global ambitions – including the possible creation of a league in Europe – have played a part in those gains.

Although the Warriors’ $833MM is something out of an outlier, NBA teams generated an average of approximately $408MM in revenue last season, according to Badenhausen, with the Grizzlies coming in last at $301MM. Memphis also ranks 30th on Sportico’s list of franchise values.

Despite placing at the bottom of this list, the Grizzlies actually had the most significant increase in their franchise valuation this past year, rising from $3.06 billion to $4 billion (31%). The Pelicans (30%), Timberwolves (29%), and Eastern Conference champion Pacers (27%) were the other biggest risers.

Of course, it’s worth noting that figures from Sportico or any other media outlet are just estimates and often don’t quite match up with the sale prices for franchises that change hands. But these projections are usually in the right ballpark and remain useful for getting a sense of the league’s most and least valuable teams.

Here’s Sportico’s full list of NBA franchise valuations for 2025:

  1. Golden State Warriors: $11.33 billion
  2. Los Angeles Lakers: $10 billion
  3. New York Knicks: $9.85 billion
  4. Los Angeles Clippers: $6.72 billion
  5. Boston Celtics: $6.35 billion
  6. Brooklyn Nets: $6.22 billion
  7. Chicago Bulls: $6.12 billion
  8. Miami Heat: $6.03 billion
  9. Philadelphia 76ers: $5.61 billion
  10. Houston Rockets: $5.53 billion
  11. Dallas Mavericks: $5.24 billion
  12. Toronto Raptors: $5.22 billion
  13. Phoenix Suns: $5.09 billion
  14. Atlanta Hawks: $5.02 billion
  15. Sacramento Kings: $5 billion
  16. Cleveland Cavaliers: $4.86 billion
  17. Denver Nuggets: $4.8 billion
  18. Washington Wizards: $4.78 billion
  19. Indiana Pacers: $4.76 billion
  20. Milwaukee Bucks: $4.54 billion
  21. San Antonio Spurs: $4.5 billion
  22. Oklahoma City Thunder: $4.34 billion
  23. Utah Jazz: $4.27 billion
  24. Portland Trail Blazers: $4.25 billion
  25. Minnesota Timberwolves: $4.24 billion
  26. Orlando Magic: $4.21 billion
  27. Detroit Pistons: $4.17 billion
  28. Charlotte Hornets: $4.13 billion
  29. New Orleans Pelicans: $4.02 billion
  30. Memphis Grizzlies: $4 billion

As Badenhausen notes, Sportico’s projections are based on a control sale price, rather than limited stake purchases. Controlling shares in the Celtics, Lakers, and Trail Blazers all changed hands this past year, though only the Celtics sale has been formally approved by the NBA so far.

William Chisholm is buying the Celtics in two stages, with an initial valuation of $6.1 billion and a blended valuation of roughly $6.5 billion. Walter is purchasing the Lakers at a valuation of $10 billion, while Tom Dundon is buying the Blazers at a $4.25 billion valuation.

2025/26 NBA Over/Unders: Southwest Division

With the 2025/26 NBA regular season just around the corner, we’re getting serious about predictions for the upcoming campaign and continuing an annual Hoops Rumors tradition.

With the help of the lines from a series of sports betting sites – including BetMGM and BetOnline – we’re running through the predicted win totals for each of the NBA’s 30 teams, by division. In a series of team-by-team polls, you’ll get the chance to weigh in on whether you think those forecasts are too optimistic or too pessimistic.

In 2024/25, our voters went 13-17 on their over/under picks. Can we top that in ’25/26?

We’ll wrap up our series today with the Southwest Division…


Houston Rockets


San Antonio Spurs


Dallas Mavericks


Memphis Grizzlies


New Orleans Pelicans


Previous voting results:

Atlantic

  • New York Knicks (53.5 wins): Over (63.2%)
  • Boston Celtics (42.5 wins): Over (52.7%)
  • Philadelphia 76ers (42.5 wins): Under (58.7%)
  • Toronto Raptors (37.5 wins): Over (50.2%)
  • Brooklyn Nets (20.5 wins): Over (54.4%)

Central

  • Cleveland Cavaliers (56.5 wins): Over (58.0%)
  • Detroit Pistons (46.5 wins): Over (60.5%)
  • Milwaukee Bucks (42.5 wins): Over (74.4%)
  • Indiana Pacers (37.5 wins): Over (50.1%)
  • Chicago Bulls (32.5 wins): Over (60.8%)

Southeast

  • Orlando Magic (51.5 wins): Over (52.8%)
  • Atlanta Hawks (47.5 wins): Over (54.9%)
  • Miami Heat (37.5 wins): Over (54.4%)
  • Charlotte Hornets (27.5 wins): Over (50.6%)
  • Washington Wizards (21.5 wins): Under (62.4%)

Northwest

  • Oklahoma City Thunder (62.5 wins): Over (62.9%)
  • Denver Nuggets (53.5 wins): Over (72.1%)
  • Minnesota Timberwolves (49.5 wins): Over (58.7%)
  • Portland Trail Blazers (34.5 wins): Over (57.1%)
  • Utah Jazz (18.5 wins): Over (55.3%)

Pacific

  • Los Angeles Clippers (48.5 wins): Under (58.7%)
  • Los Angeles Lakers (48.5 wins): Under (52.1%)
  • Golden State Warriors (46.5 wins): Over (68.3%)
  • Sacramento Kings (34.5 wins): Over (55.1%)
  • Phoenix Suns (31.5 wins): Under (56.8%)