Financials:
Total Active Salary: $135.5M
Luxury Tax Room: $52.4M
First Apron Room: $60.4M
Second Apron Room: $72.3M
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Pre-Draft Moves & Trades:
Re-Signings (using Cap Holds):
Resign Santi Aldama to a 4-Year Contract worth $70M (16-17.5-18-18.5M)
Resign Cam Spencer to a 4-Year Contract worth $10M (2.1-2.3-2.6-3M)
Resign Luke Kennard to a 3-Year Contract worth $24M (7-8-9M)
Resign Marvin Bagley III to a 3-Year Contract worth $24M (7-8-9M)
Trades:
Trade Santi Aldama + GG Jackson + 2028 1st-Round Pick for Cam Johnson (20.5M)
Trade Brandon Clarke + Luke Kennard + Marvin Bagley III + 2 Second-Round Picks for John Collins (26.5M)
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NBA Free Agency:
Use the NTP-MLE (~$14M) to sign Brook Lopez to bolster the center rotation.
Use the Bi-Annual Exception (~$4.5M) to sign Taurean Prince for reliable wing depth.
Fill the last spot with a veteran PG minimum signing: ex : Jordan McLaughlin (~$2.5M)
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Grizzlies Ideal 2025-26 Rotation:
Starters: Ja Morant / Desmond Bane / Cam Johnson / Jaren Jackson Jr / Zack Edey
Bench: Scotty Pippen Jr / Jaylen Wells / Taurean Prince / John Collins / Brook Lopez
Deep Bench: Jordan McLaughlin / Cam Spencer / Vince Williams Jr / John Konchar / Jay Huff
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Outlook: The Grizzlies have reached a critical turning point. After a 2024-25 season marked by injuries, internal tension, and disappointing results, Memphis just suffered a brutal exit with the sweep against OKC in the first round of the playoffs. A few weeks before the end of the regular season, the franchise was shaken by a major decision: the firing of their head coach, signaling that major changes were inevitable.
In the five years since forming their "Core 3" of Ja, Jaren and Bane, the Grizzlies have only managed to win one playoff series. That level of postseason success is far below expectations for a group with this much talent. The time for patience is over: the Grizzlies must get serious now. The strategy of doubling down on youth, adding more draft picks or G-Leagers, can no longer be the plan. They must pivot toward experience, surrounding the core with reliable veterans who can contribute to win.
This retool reflects that shift :
Cam Johnson brings much-needed stability and shooting at the wing position
John Collins strengthens the frontcourt rotation with his athleticism, his hustle and scoring.
Brook Lopez offers insurance at the center position and can mentor Zach Edey.
On top of stabilizing the roster, Memphis keeps enough flexibility (slightly into the luxury tax, only ~$3.6M in tax) to pursue a consolidation trade at the next deadline, if a major upgrade opportunity arises.
This is a pivotal moment: the Grizzlies need to prove that this Core can still contend for a conference final appearance, and maybe even more. The contending window isn’t closed yet — but it won’t stay open forever.