Morant has recovered from his shoulder surgery and is cleared for basketball activities.
Memphis should enter training camp healthy, and the addition of the college player of the year to replace Steven Adams at the five gives them a shot to quickly jump back into the mix. The Grizzlies are certainly a dangerous team on paper, but other obstacles could stand in their way.
The Memphis Grizzlies have their sights set on the top of the Western Conference. One year ago, they were the exciting young team that had a second straight impressive regular season. Ja Morant’s suspension and a host of injuries made for a disastrous season. The Grizzlies have plenty of doubters, but it has not shaken their belief.
The Grizzlies brought back Luke Kennard but structured his contract in a specific way to stay under the luxury tax line. It is clear the franchise does not plan to pay, but things get tricky when considering their current roster may push them over.
Kennard is one of three players with an unlikely bonus in their contract for the 2024-25 season. The Grizzlies are $810,981 below the tax line, and it is not calculated until the end of the year. Bane has $1.1 million in unlikely incentives and Kennard’s is over $1.3 million. Clark has a $500,000 bonus if the Grizzlies win the championship. Memphis would gladly pay that, but being over the tax line is costly as the franchise does not get a share of the taxes collected.
If Kennard or Bane are on pace to get their bonuses, the Grizzlies will likely make a cost-saving move ahead of the trade deadline. Derrick Rose and Mamadi Diakite seem likely the most likely options to be cut from their roster, but it could be anything to save a few million.
Memphis is unlikely to add unless they can find cost savings in the deal. They have the talent to return to contention but cannot fill holes that arise throughout the season. It is a tricky spot for a team with plans of challenging for a title, but the franchise is taking it head-on.
If the bonuses remain unlikely, the Grizzlies could add a small amount before the deadline in hopes of improving their roster. They appear set on avoiding the tax, but Memphis is not afraid to get right under that line.
Things are looking up for the Memphis Grizzlies. They just survived a disastrous season and are primed to jump back into the playoff mix. Fans are excited to see Ja Morant back on the floor and eager to witness their climb. It promises to be an entertaining season in Grind City, so do not miss it.