MEMPHIS – Although injuries are closing the door on the Grizzlies’ main goals this season, top executive Zach Kleiman is approaching the stretch run intent on keeping the championship window as wide open as possible.
That requires a reassuring vision during a rough reality.
Kleiman met with the media Friday to reflect on the Grizzlies’ recent flurry of moves that included making three trades ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, adding future draft picks, increasing future salary cap flexibility and creating another roster spot to promote a promising prospect.
None of those transactions will likely dig the Grizzlies (18-34) out of the huge hole they face in the current standings this season. But with priorities shifting to the continued development of young talent and overall roster evaluations throughout the rotation, the Grizzlies remain steadfast in a productive approach the rest of this season.
“What we’re doing is being very intentional about a championship window we see as open,” Kleiman said. “It’s about what else can we find in terms of roster building the rest of the way (as we) go about putting a team together that competes for a championship next year and beyond.”
Kleiman repeatedly referenced the team’s ultimate goal even as he faced questions about some increasingly difficult circumstances. The Grizzlies are on a season-long, seven-game losing streak heading into Saturday’s game in Charlotte against the Hornets.
Adversity arrived from the outset, as Memphis went 6-19 when superstar point guard Ja Morant served a league-mandated, 25-game suspension to open the season. Nine games into his return, Morant suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery last month.
The Grizzlies then lost several other starters and key players to lengthy injuries, including Desmond Bane and Marcus Smart, both of whom have been sidelined the past month. Kleiman reiterated Friday that Bane (foot) and Smart (finger) are progressing through the initial stages of rehab and remain scheduled to be reevaluated sometime after next week’s NBA All-Star Break.
“We’ll be smart,” Kleiman said of intentions that Bane and Smart could return at some point this season. “We’re going to make sure they’re in position to be fully healthy.”
For now, the aim is to maximize development opportunities for available players and to position the franchise to best retool heading into the summer and next season. Those incremental steps continued this week, with the Grizzlies converting rookie second-round pick GG Jackson’s Two-Way development contract to a three-year, guaranteed standard NBA deal.
That signing was announced immediately after the 19-year-old Jackson delivered the most promising game of his season, when he tallied 27 points and nine rebounds Thursday against the Bulls. Jackson, who has scored in double figures five of the past six games, became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 25 points off the bench.
“I feel like I’ve taken leaps every level of basketball that I’ve gotten the chance to play,” said Jackson, who spent one season at South Carolina after entering college as one of the nation’s top prep prospects. “This is just another one of those leaps, and I’ve got to continue to make those leaps. It’s all glory to God for the opportunity that’s been put at hand.”
Jackson has recently shown a level of wisdom beyond his years. After Thursday’s game, he shared two personal developments that have been essential to his growth on and off the court.
He discussed his choice to wear pink basketball shoes in Thursday’s game as a constant tribute to his mother, who is a breast cancer survivor. Jackson also divulged how a meeting with Kleiman earlier this season helped to steer him back on track after he was repeatedly fined by the team for missteps as he split time between the Grizzlies and G League’s Memphis Hustle.
“He gave me the rundown and everything since then, I’ve been on my Ps and Qs,” Jackson assured. “I feel like those off-the-court things also translate to on the court. I try to be as professional as possible.”
Last month, the Grizzlies made a similar decision when second-year guard Vince Williams Jr. was converted from a Two-Way contract and rewarded with a three-year deal. A second-round pick in 2022, Williams emerged as one of the NBA’s best breakout players this season. He’s started 20 games and averaged 17.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals the past 11 games.
The rapid growth and development of the 6-9 Jackson and 6-4 Williams have been clear silver linings in an otherwise demoralizing season for the Grizzlies. Those two players have now blossomed potentially into key options on a supporting cast for the Grizzlies’ star-studded core.
Locking Williams and Jackson into team-friendly deals now provides financial flexibility moving forward. Next season is the first when Morant, Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. are all on maximum or near-maximum salary contracts and collectively account for nearly $100 million on the cap.
Kleiman also explained the thought process that contributed to other moves. Last week, the Grizzlies traded center Steven Adams to Houston in a deal that removes more than $12 million off next season’s salary cap and keeps the team below the NBA’s more punitive luxury tax line.
The Grizzlies then dealt center Xavier Tillman to Boston earlier this week before also parting with second-year forward David Roddy in a three-team trade on Thursday’s deadline day. Those three trades netted the Grizzlies a future first-round pick swap and at least five future second-round picks to use as potential assets moving forward.
Additionally, Memphis would qualify for a top-six pick in this summer’s draft lottery based on its position in the standings. The Grizzlies will salvage what they can of this season. But they’re already deep into the plan to regroup with a strong foundation forming ahead of next season.
“These (remaining) games are incredibly important for the development of this group, and we’re excited to see what guys are going to make of these opportunities,” Kleiman said. “What we’re focused on is giving opportunities to put them in position to be successful.”
They’ve already locked in on two promising contributors in GG Jackson and Williams.
They’ve added draft capital and are positioned for a lottery pick or to use those assets in trades.
They’ve created some financial flexibility to better maneuver in summer deals and free agency.
Now, the team’s frontline stars just have to get healthy.
In the meantime, Kleiman and the front office are making the necessary moves for everything to fall into place when that time comes.