The Memphis Grizzlies have completed a rebuild that removed Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. The roster now carries a mix of veterans, first-round picks and a slew of two-way players, but the roster count has swelled to 23 names under contract or association.
NBA rules allow 15 standard contracts and up to three two-way deals for the regular season. With 23 players on the books, the club must cut at least five contracts before the first game. The current list includes Jaylen Wells, Scotty Pippen Jr., Ty Jerome, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Walter Clayton Jr., D’Angelo Russell, AJ Johnson, Jerami Grant, Javon Small, Zach Edey, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Quinten Post, Taylor Hendricks, Cedric Coward, Kris Murray, Cam Spencer, Cameron Boozer, Isaiah Stewart, Karim Lopez, GG Jackson, Taj Gibson, Richie Saunders and Jahmai Mashack.
Among the names, D’Angelo Russell stands out as the most prominent candidate for a move. The veteran guard, acquired in a six-team trade that also delivered Isaiah Stewart and AJ Johnson, does not fit the Grizzlies’ young timeline. The guard room already features Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Walter Clayton Jr., leaving limited minutes for a player whose role was largely as a secondary scorer in Memphis last season.
Veteran forward Taj Gibson is another likely casualty. At 41, he is the oldest player ever to suit up for Memphis and his contract is non-guaranteed, making him an easy waiver. The frontcourt now contains a blend of youth and experience, Cameron Boozer, a top-three pick, rookie Karim Lopez, Jerami Grant, Zach Edey and Isaiah Stewart, reducing any on-court need for Gibson’s veteran presence.
Javon Small also faces an uphill battle. While he remains on the roster, the depth of guards and wings, including the presence of other young players such as Jahmai Mashack, limits Small’s opportunity to earn a standard contract. His situation illustrates the broader challenge of converting fringe roster spots into full-time roles.
The next weeks will see training camp become a decisive proving ground. Memphis must trim the roster to the league-mandated limit while preserving the core that includes the new draft-class talent and the promising young wing group. Expect the final roster to retain the high-upside pieces and shed the veterans who no longer align with the rebuilding blueprint.
