According to BD Cricket Live reports, just over a year ago the Memphis Grizzlies were the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, and their brash, youthful roster loudly declared themselves championship contenders. Fast forward a year, and reality hit hard. The team’s downfall can be traced to its cornerstone star, Ja Morant. After making a name for himself across the league, Morant began to lose focus. Last summer, he was suspended for the second time due to a firearm incident, costing him 25 games.
Following the second suspension, perhaps due to league pressure and intense public scrutiny, BD Cricket Live reporters noted that Morant seemed to rein in his rebellious behavior and refocused on training. When he returned during the team’s darkest hour, he made an immediate impact. In his comeback game, he dropped 34 points and hit a buzzer-beater to defeat the Pelicans, sparking a four-game win streak. Unfortunately, Morant played only nine games before suffering a serious injury. Surgery followed, and with it came the announcement that his season was over. That moment effectively slammed shut the Grizzlies’ playoff hopes.
While the injury was somewhat accidental, Morant’s rushed return to high-intensity competition—without any preseason ramp-up—may have contributed. He didn’t ease in gradually but went full throttle, and the lack of conditioning likely played a role in his breakdown. Once celebrated for their “better without Morant” narrative, the Grizzlies couldn’t rely on that this time. The team had already let go of core role players like Dillon Brooks and Tyus Jones due to small-market budget limitations, hoping young talent and Marcus Smart could fill the void.
In practice, those gaps proved impossible to patch. Desmond Bane, once thriving as the second option, hit his ceiling as the lead scorer. Though he averaged 23.7 points per game, dips in shooting accuracy showed the burden was too heavy. Meanwhile, Jaren Jackson Jr. posted a career-best offensive season, but the effort dulled his defensive impact—his blocks per game plummeted, exposing efficiency issues.
To add leadership and toughness, Memphis brought in veterans Marcus Smart and Derrick Rose, hoping their experience would steady the locker room. But both were plagued by injuries. Smart missed most of the season with ankle and hand injuries, appearing in just 20 games—a career low. Rose, long troubled by health setbacks, managed only 24 games and looked like a shadow of his former self, hinting at retirement.
Their injury-ridden backcourt was just the tip of the iceberg. As the season dragged on, Memphis spiraled deeper into mediocrity. With 33 different players suiting up, even die-hard fans struggled to recognize many faces. The Grizzlies were forced to sign short-term replacements just to finish out the regular season. Fortunately, that nightmare is over.
This offseason, the team’s core remains intact, and with several players recovering from injury, hope is slowly returning. The silver lining of last season’s collapse was landing the No. 9 overall pick in the NBA Draft. With it, Memphis selected Zach Edey—known in China as Zhou Zhihao—one of the most dominant college centers in recent memory.
Edey brings traditional size and paint presence that’s rare in today’s league. Even before entering the NBA, he had become a fan-favorite across North America. Some BD Cricket Live analysts questioned whether his game would translate in the modern era, citing concerns about mobility and fit. Others doubted he’d survive in today’s faster, more perimeter-oriented game. But the Grizzlies weren’t swayed. They had already cleared room by moving on from Steven Adams and Xavier Tillman, signaling their intent to invest in a young center.
Early reports show Edey and Morant have begun training together, working on on-court chemistry ahead of the new season. Memphis executives understand that after last season’s emotional and competitive collapse, the team must rebuild morale and discover new sources of strength. If Morant returns on time and stays healthy, and if the injury cloud finally lifts, this roster could rediscover its bite.
As for untapped potential, BD Cricket Live insiders believe all eyes are now on Zhou Zhihao. He represents not only a new chapter for the Grizzlies but also the possibility of a true redemption arc for the entire team.