For reasons both good and bad, the Memphis Grizzlies have found themselves lighting up the news cycle following the 2024 NBA Draft.
From their highly scrutinized decision to take Purdue big Zach Edey with their ninth overall pick in round one to the arguable steal selections of both Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer in round two, Zach Kleiman’s strategy during this year’s festivities has caught the attention of many onlookers.
Though some changes may still be to come, as we are only in the infancy stages of the offseason what with the fact that free agency has yet to even kick-off, it’s evident that the Grizzlies have strengthened many areas within their rotation when compared to their 2023-24 iteration that managed to win just games.
Assuming health is on their side during next year’s campaign, many should expect Memphis to get back to a similar version of itself that, prior to last season, had accumulated 107 total wins from 2021-2023 and claimed consecutive Southwest Division crowns.
With the 2024 NBA Draft now in the rearview, the projected depth chart heading into 2024-25 could have the makings of one that could create some serious noise out in the Western Conference standings.
Projected Grizzlis depth chart for 2024-25 season after NBA Draft
Point Guard: Ja Morant, Derrick Rose, Scotty Pippen Jr. (TW)
Shooting Guard: Marcus Smart, Luke Kennard (TO), Vince Williams Jr., Ziaire Williams, Cam Spencer (TW)
Small Forward: Desmond Bane, GG Jackson, Vince Williams Jr., Ziaire Williams, Jaylen Wells
Power Forward: Jaren Jackson Jr., GG Jackson, Santi Aldama, Jake LaRavia, Jaylen Wells
Center: Zach Edey, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke, Trey Jemison (TW)
** TW = Two Way Contract; TO = Team Option **
Editor’s Note: Rookie-scale contracts are merely predictions at this point
Though the Memphis Grizzlies may have selected all three of Zach Edey (No. 9), Jaylen Williams (No. 39), and Cam Spencer (No. 53), as of this writing, none have officially put pen to paper on their official rookie-scale NBA contracts.
That said, it is safe to assume that Edey will be locked into his full-scale lottery-selected deal (for him, it would hold a potential worth of up to $26,279,554 over four years) once he and the organization come to the table in order to reach a full-fledged agreement.
For Williams and Spencer, being that they are coming into the association as second-round picks, their pay structure is far less lucrative and, frankly, less secure, as their contracts need to be negotiated.
In the end, it is our prediction that Williams will wind up inking a full-scale deal with the Grizzlies once negotiations are permitted to begin (what the exact number will be, however, is anyone’s guess at this point in time) while Spencer will end up agreeing to terms on a two-way deal and split time between the varsity team and the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League throughout his rookie season.
