The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the most likely teams to make the cut in the 2024-25 NBA season. After finishing as the runner-up for two straight seasons, the Grizzlies were plagued by injuries and set an NBA record of 578 games missed due to injury. That doesn’t include the 25 games Ja Morant missed early in the season due to a suspension.
Morant played in nine games upon his return before succumbing to his own season-ending injury. In those nine games, Memphis went 6-3 with its only four-game winning streak of the season. A 55-win pace would have left the Grizzlies as the fourth seed in the Western Conference.
Although Morant returned for nine games, Memphis was still not at full strength as Marcus Smart missed three games and Steven Adams missed the entire season.
The Grizzlies have always had success as an overlooked team and find themselves in familiar territory heading into next season.
Are here Three Bold Predictions for the Memphis Grizzlies 2024-25 season:
- The Grizzlies finish as the only seed in the Western Conference
Bold is right. Oklahoma City added Isiah Hartenstein to its already successful young core, which puts them in contention to get back to where they were last season. The Minnesota Timberwolves aren’t going anywhere, but that series has historically been a tie and Memphis has the pieces to thwart what Minnesota does well.
The Clippers, Lakers, Warriors and Nuggets either didn’t get any better or got worse. Memphis will be motivated and hungry with a deep roster ready to fight its way back to the top of the Western Conference.
- Zach Edey wins Rookie of the Year award
This is all about opportunity and impact. The bookmakers currently have him as the favorite and it makes sense. He will play a lot from day one and will have a huge impact on a very good team. In a weak draft class, Edey will have every opportunity to stand out among his peers and even take home the prize.
- Memphis will have multiple All Stars for the second time in franchise history
In 2022-23, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. became the first Memphis Grizzlies players to be selected to the All-Star Game in the same season. This year, Memphis will have two All-Stars with the possibility of three. Morant will tie Marc Gasol for the most All-Star Game appearances in franchise history, while either Desmond Bane or Jaren Jackson Jr. (or both) will join him.
