The Memphis Grizzlies face critical roster decisions to meet the NBA regular season limit of 15 standard contracts following an extensive franchise overhaul, as reported by Yahoo Sports on July 9, 2026.
After trading away core players Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis accumulated an abundance of players and draft assets that pushed the team well over the league roster capacity.
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Veterans D'Angelo Russell, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and 41-year-old Taj Gibson are the figures least likely to remain on the final roster before opening night due to developmental timelines and crowded position groups.
Connection to Utah Jazz
The roster reshaping in Memphis directly connects to the Utah Jazz, where executive Danny Ainge traded Utah's most favorable upcoming first-round draft pick to the Grizzlies to acquire star forward Jaren Jackson Jr.
Despite adding Jackson to a core featuring Lauri Markkanen, Bleacher Report recently placed the Jazz at No. 23 in its latest league-wide power rankings.
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"If everyone's healthy, a rotation with Keyonte George, rookie Darryn Peterson, Ace Bailey, Lauri Markkanen and Jaren Jackson Jr. is going to be dynamic offensively and awfully long on the other end," wrote Andy Bailey, Bleacher Report analyst.
The media assessment noted that the trajectory of the team heavily depends on the rapid adjustment of their incoming young talents.
"If one or two of Cody Williams, Kyle Filipowski or Isaiah Collier takes a big developmental step, this team might even contend for a play-in spot," Bailey added.
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According to the published power rankings, the Jazz placed directly ahead of the Sacramento Kings, Milwaukee Bucks, Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, and Los Angeles Clippers.
