Memphis Grizzlies: Five things you need to know

• Grit and Grind ethos defines team identity
• Young star Ja Morant leads exciting new era
• Strong playoff contenders in Western Conference

The Memphis Grizzlies are a young and emerging NBA franchise from the state of Tennessee. In their 30-year existence, the 2010s stood out as the franchise’s prime, with iconic players Zach Randolph, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol and Tony Allen taking the Grizzlies on deep playoff runs.

With Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. leading a new era of Grizzlies basketball, the franchise continues to embody the Memphis “Grind City” label.

Australian Boomers centre Jock Landale, 29, signed with the Grizzlies after being waived by the Houston Rockets in July 2025.

2024-25 NBA Season Summary

• Record: 48-34
• Finish: 8th Seed (Lost in the First round)
• All-Star Selections: Jaren Jackson Jr

The Grizzlies 2024-25 season was characterised by their stellar offensive outfit that ranked second in points per game. What was so excellent about the Grizzlies offence was the multi-layered aspects stemming from their elite offensive rebounding to their league best up-tempo pace. Bowing out to the eventual champions the Oklahoma City Thunder in four games, the Grizzlies were taught a harsh lesson in lockdown defence.

Their bottom 10 ranked defence would be the team’s downfall, with the Thunder hitting over 110 points in every game.

Re-signing

• Santi Aldama returns on 3-year deal
• Jaren Jackson Jr. signs 5-year extension
• Cam Spencer returns on 2-year deal

Additions

• Kentavious Caldwell-Pope joins via trade with Magic
• Ty Jerome agrees to 3-year deal
• Jock Landale agrees to deal after being waived by the Houston Rockets.

Departures

• Cole Anthony joins via trade with Magic, then waived
• Desmond Bane departs via trade with Magic
• Luke Kennard departs in free agency to Hawks
• Jay Huff departs via trade with Pacers
• Zyon Pullin waived

Memphis have been busy this offseason, locking down two integral parts of their frontcourt in Jaren Jackson Jr and Santi Aldama. Coming off his 2025 All-Star selection, Jackson Jr has signed a monster five-year $205 million contract, securing one of the league's best young bigs for the long term. Jackson and Aldama are also joined by Australian big Jock Landale who joins the team following a stint at the Houston Rockets.

Time will tell whether the deal to send Desmond Bane to the Magic for a stack of draft picks was the right decision, but the addition of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope as a veteran guard fills a clear void in the team. The acquisition of Ty Jerome on a three-year deal adds more offensive output to an elite second unit which placed second in bench points last season.

Nine games into his head coaching career, Tuomas Iisalo faces an interesting challenge addressing the team’s defence. With a background in offensive coaching background, the Memphis Grizzlies high-octane offence is set for another exciting year which could deliver them to some improved success in the playoffs. Spearheaded by Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr, the Grizzlies are slowly building to something bigger and better.

2025-26 Predicted Lineup

• Point Guard: Ja Morant
• Shooting Guard: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
• Small Forward: Jaylen Wells
• Power Forward: Jaren Jackson Jr
• Centre: Zach Edey

Australians who have played for the Memphis Grizzlies

Jack White: Born in Traralgon, Victoria, White signed a 10-day contract with the Grizzlies in April 2024. He made his debut against the San Antonio Spurs, playing 26 minutes and scoring six points. Prior to joining Memphis, White was part of the Denver Nuggets' 2023 NBA Championship team.

Jock Landale: Has signed a one-year contract with the Memphis Grizzlies and may be utilised as depth at the centre position.

History of the Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies entered the NBA in 1995 as the Vancouver Grizzlies, joining the Toronto Raptors in the NBA’s expansion into Canada. In 2001 the Grizzlies relocated to Memphis, Tennessee becoming the first and only franchise to represent the Memphis area.

Throughout the 2000s the Grizzlies went through a shake up that saw key figures Jerry West come in as GM and Hubie Brown take charge as coach. Holding claims to NBA legend Pau Gasol and star Jason Williams the franchise enjoyed the first of its successful seasons in 2004.

The 2010s were the era that took the franchise to new heights in the NBA.  In what would become known as the “Grind and Grit” era, the Grizzlies would acquire franchise legends, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley Jr and Zach Randolph and usher in a period of sustained success. Culminating in the franchise reaching their first and only Western Conference Finals, the Grizzlies enjoyed their best ever period in their 30-year existence.

The arrival of dynamic point guard Ja Morant has ushered in an exciting new chapter for the franchise, with the team quickly ascending in the Western conference standings. Led by Morant's breakout season in 2021/22, the team won a franchise-record 56 games and captured the Southwest Division title for the first time.

Identity

The Grizzlies' identity is rooted in their "Grit and Grind" ethos, which emerged during the 2010s as the team cultivated a hard-nosed, defensive-minded style of play. This blue-collar approach resonated deeply with the Memphis fanbase and helped establish the Grizzlies as perennial playoff contenders in the Western Conference. While the personnel has changed, the current iteration of the team still embodies this mentality of toughness and teamwork.

The Grizzlies have fostered a strong, cohesive team culture built on accountability, hard work, and community engagement. The organisation places a premium on player development, with a track record of nurturing young talent into valuable contributors.

Five Fast Facts

1. The Grizzlies are the only major professional sports team in Memphis.
2. They began as an expansion team in Vancouver, Canada in 1995 before relocating to Memphis in 2001.
3. The team's mascot, Grizz, was named the NBA Mascot of the Year in 2011.
4. Ja Morant's 52-point game in 2022 set a new franchise record for points in a single game.
5. The Grizzlies' "Growl Towels" have become a staple of their home playoff games, with over 100,000 towels distributed during their 2013 playoff run.

Club Timeline

• 1995: Franchise founded as Vancouver Grizzlies
• 2001: Team relocates to Memphis
• 2004: Hubie Brown wins NBA Coach of the Year
• 2011: First playoff series win, defeating San Antonio Spurs
• 2013: Reach Western Conference Finals
• 2016: David Fizdale hired as head coach
• 2019: Draft Ja Morant with 2nd overall pick
• 2022: Win first division title in franchise history

The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the league’s most entertaining teams, with their combination of showtime plays and up-tempo basketball making for must-watch basketball. Some great offseason additions have equipped the Grizzlies with better assets to fortify their defence and deliver them to greater successes. Embodying a culture of grind and grit, the 2025/26 Grizzlies are continuing to build on the foundations laid by their 2013 Western Conference finals squad.