The Memphis Grizzlies are expected to pursue some drastic offseason moves, but Jaylen Wells thinks shaking things up is unnecessary.
After getting swept by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs, the Memphis Grizzlies are expected to explore some drastic offseason moves. Ja Morant seems to be their chief trade candidate, although ideas linking Jaren Jackson Jr. to possible landing spots have been floated, as well.
Morant is one of the league’s most explosive athletes and marketable players, although his multiple gun-related suspensions have hindered his once-promising image.
Jackson Jr., meanwhile, is one of the best two-way players in the NBA, and the Grizzlies could build with, but not around, him for the long-term future.
However, injuries have hindered their efforts in each of the last two seasons, and there is an argument to be made that fans haven’t yet been given a chance to see what this lineup is capable of.
Both Morant and Jackson Jr. are All-Stars, and Jaylen Wells finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. GG Jackson missed much of the season with a broken foot, and he made the loaded All-Rookie team in 2024.
That’s to say that the Grizzlies have plenty of talent, although injuries have kept them from fielding rosters in the postseason. Wells broke his wrist at the end of the regular season, and Morant missed the final two games of the first round with a hip injury.
Wells insisted that Morant should be given at least one more season in Memphis during an interview on FanDuel’s Run It Back.
“I don’t know what Memphis is without Ja,” he said plainly.
Morant has come under fire, mostly for touting his collection of firearms, although his leadership has also been questioned. Wells quickly put any doubts aside.
“He’s exciting, fun,” said the rookie. “He’s just fun, fun to play with, fun to watch. I think he’s a great leader and he just brings energy to the team. I mean, we’re all, we’re a pretty young team. So, I mean, just having another young leader like him, I mean, he’s a guy you want to fight for, a guy you want to, you want to play behind.”
For much of the season, the Grizzlies were the second-best team in the West, although a late-season collapse relegated them to the play-in tournament. Despite their mostly impressive regular season, Memphis was never seen as a true contender.
As the Los Angeles Lakers enjoy a full offseason with Luka Doncic, the Minnesota Timberwolves continue to build around Anthony Edwards, the Golden State Warriors work with Jimmy Butler, and teams like the Thunder, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and even Los Angeles Clippers improve internally, it’s hard to imagine the Grizzlies making the postseason outright next year, although fans might just be jaded.
With two injury-riddled seasons in a row, it’s hard to remember just how good the Grizzlies can be. Led by two All-Stars and a young supporting cast, Memphis still has time to prove that they are a contender in a loaded conference.
