Memphis Grizzlies

NASHVILLE – Defined culture. Determined identity. Decisive lane.

As the Grizzlies opened training camp Tuesday at Belmont University, their path forward was as clear as their Media Day talking points.

What’s ultimately in store for a franchise retooling around a core of first, second and third-year players won’t be revealed for months as the season eventually unfolds. So, the Grizzlies aren’t focused right now on the long view. The destination will sort itself out.

none

For now, the priority is following the right set of directions to navigate the journey.

Fourth-year forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper is one of many players on the roster who personify that mindset entering camp. This time a year ago, O-Max arrived on a two-way developmental deal, performed and persevered through an injury-riddled season for the Grizzlies, and was ultimately promoted to a standard NBA contract.

This time around, O-Max will rely on that same energy, team-first mentality and relentless effort in one of the many battles to play out for starting jobs, key rotation roles and final roster spots.

“Success for us means we’re building and growing every single day,” Prosper explained of the tone the Grizzlies are setting this week. “Instead of looking at it from an end-goal mindset, look at it from a day-to-day perspective, building steppingstones every single day. It’s a long season, and they’re going to be wins and losses. But how can we look back and say, ‘Oh, we got a whole lot better?’ If we have that mindset, from the start of the season to midway through the season and into late in the season, it’s going to be a different team because of the growth we’ve made.”

By redefining their culture, determining a clear identity and taking a decisive path forward, the Grizzlies intend to establish a foundation for progress this season.

It started with president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman “picking a lane” that redirected toward a younger build after a series of trades in which the Grizzlies moved on from Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant in a 12-month stretch.

Those deals returned a bevy of draft capital, financial flexibility and quality rotation players, including last year’s offseason addition of guard Ty Jerome and this summer’s acquisitions of Jerami Grant, Isaiah Stewart and Quinten Post.

Jerome, Grant, Stewart and Post all arrive with playoff experience from conference contenders as well as time spent helping guide teams through challenging rebuilds. They are intended to complement a younger core of Zach Edey, Cedric Coward, Jaylen Wells and rookie third overall draft pick Cameron Boozer while also keeping Memphis competitive in a loaded West.&nbsp;

After spending significant time in self-reflection throughout the process, Kleiman is eager to see how all the intriguing pieces fit entering the season.

“I’m my own biggest critic,” Kleiman admitted. “It’s important to look back and assess. Along the way, I’ve been first to raise my hand (and ask), ‘Was this the right way to attack this? Was this the right way to attack that?’ But coming out of that (change), let’s keep a Ty Jerome, let’s add an Isaiah Stewart, let’s see what a Jerami Grant can add to this group. What are the influences that are not going to just set the right tone for these (young) guys but can also contribute to winning? Let’s continue to have that kind of focus.”

Entering his second full season as coach, Tuomas Iisalo is tasked with molding and meshing the pieces with four days of camp practices in Nashville leading into four preseason games. The Grizzlies open the season Oct. 21 at FedExForum against the Jazz.

Expect the Grizzlies to remain an ongoing work in progress well into the season. And that’s by design for a team that held its first practice Tuesday with a league-maximum of 21 players on the training camp roster. NBA rules limit teams to 15 players on standard contracts, plus up to three additional roster spots for prospects on two-way developmental deals.

Which essentially means camp competition will be fierce amid battles for jobs.

“In order to have a good training camp, we also need to have guys competing in practice and that will reveal what the current depth chart is,” Iisalo assured. “But it’s not written in stone. We have decisions to make because we have a lot of candidates who are in very similar situations. We’ve got to take a look at who takes those steps forward. It’ll also be about seeing who completes these five-man units instead of just their individual talent level.”

After enduring consecutive seasons hampered by significant injuries, the Grizzlies opened camp with a relatively clean bill of health this week.

Edey, coming off ankle and elbow surgery after playing just 11 games last season, is cleared for full-speed basketball activities in camp as the 7-foot-4 third-year center ramps up. Kleiman said Edey is on track to be ready for the regular season, and that the team “will be smart” with his workload through the coming weeks.

“It’s been a great summer for me,” Edey said. “I stayed in Memphis – really locked in on my body. I’ve never spent this much time making sure my whole body is right, making sure I feel more athletic than I ever really have. It’s still good and bad days with it; that’s been kind of part of the rehab. But I’m ready to make the most of this opportunity we have in front of us.”&nbsp;

Although 12 of the 21 players on the preseason roster weren’t on the team at the start of last year’s training camp, the Grizzlies carried some continuity and momentum into Day 1 on Tuesday.

Majority of the players either participated on the Grizzlies’ summer league teams in July or showed up this offseason for individual workouts, bonding opportunities and community events.

“We’ve got a lot of guys who are really motivated,” Boozer said of the initial steps the Grizzlies are taking on and off the court. “Everybody is here to work. Everybody is willing to do what’s best for the team. We’ve got something really special brewing. We feel like we are capable of surprising a lot of people.”

Just don’t refer to this transitional phase the Grizzlies are in as a rebuild.

“That’s kind of an external, outside noise kind of word,” Spencer insisted. “With the guys we have and the locker room we have, we’re thinking ‘win now.’ Obviously, we have to continue to develop, but we’re going to go out and try to win as many regular season games as we can to make a playoff push. So, ‘rebuild’ kind of has a negative tone almost. I don’t think anybody in that locker room or in the organization thinks we’re in that mode.”

With a redefined culture and identity, these Grizzlies clearly picked a different lane entering camp.

mikecheck-how-do-grizzlies-define-success-on-day-1-of-camp

MikeCheck: How do Grizzlies define success on Day 1 of camp?

Intriguing action and storylines emerge in 2026-27 Grizzlies season

MEMPHIS&nbsp;– New core. New supporting cast. New vibe.&nbsp;But one thing remains the same as the retooled Grizzlies take aim on the 2026-27 NBA season: a commitment to hard work, development and building a foundation to win.&nbsp;“We are going to be physically tough, and we are going to be tough-minded,” Grizzlies president of basketball operations and general manager Zach Kleiman insisted. “This is about the work and a focus on winning. I couldn’t be more excited about pushing this forward with guys we have the utmost confidence in pushing us in that direction.”&nbsp;That’s essentially the vision statement the Grizzlies will carry into a new season built around a younger core and a deeper roster under second-year coach Tuomas Iisalo. Expect growing pains as well as encouraging gains to be made by Memphis throughout the 2026-27 NBA season.

With the full schedule now released, now’s the time to mark your calendars for the most important games of the season.&nbsp;A new era is upon us, Grizz fans, with rookie first-round picks Cam Boozer and Karim Lopez joining recent First-Team NBA All-Rookie contributors Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells and Cedric Coward. The roster is also sprinkled with productive mid-career veterans in Ty Jerome and new free-agent addition Isaiah Stewart to help fight through a daunting Western Conference slate.&nbsp;Last season’s historic conference campaign saw the upstart San Antonio Spurs and Victor Wembanyama catapult from 13th&nbsp;place in the standings the previous season to Western Conference champs and NBA Finalists this past season.&nbsp;Improvement can happen quickly. There have been both key changes and significant growth this offseason as Memphis looks to take the next step in its journey.&nbsp;Hence, every game is a vital opportunity.&nbsp;Here’s my annual look at 5 Can’t Miss Grizzlies home games as we set our schedule priorities.

Oct. 21: Jazz at Grizzlies Can’t ask for a better launch of a new era than this season's home opener. First, it’s the passing of the power forward torch when former Grizz big man and two-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. returns to FedExForum to face the Grizzlies following last February’s trade. That position he vacated is now occupied by No. 3 overall pick Cam Boozer, who looks to build on a breakout NBA Summer League stint when he makes his Memphis debut. It’s also a matchup of top-three picks in June’s draft, with No. 2 selection Darryn Peterson and Boozer facing off.

Dec. 29: Spurs at Grizzlies&nbsp;Victor Wembanyama’s first of two regular-season visits to FedExForum comes during the holiday season and literally will be a reminder of the tall task the Grizzlies face as they fight through the West. Just the spectacle of the 7-foot-5 Wemby facing the 7-4 Zach Edey in the center matchup is a gift that won’t stop giving as long as two of the NBA’s most dynamic young big men are healthy. The Spurs are coming off a miraculous run to the NBA Finals as one of the youngest teams in NBA history to reach that pinnacle. The Grizzlies are hoping to build in a similar way.

Jan. 18: Rockets at Grizzlies&nbsp;The first place many look when the Grizzlies schedule gets released is to find the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Game. After a one-year hiatus last season when the Grizzlies answered the league’s call to play in the NBA Europe Games on this day in 2026, the MLK Game is back on the slate in Memphis this season. Future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant and the Rockets visit FedExForum as part of the nationally broadcast game that will showcase the remarkable work and service the Grizzlies and Memphis continue to prioritize in honoring MLK’s legacy.&nbsp;

Feb. 3: Sixers at Grizzlies&nbsp;The team that made the biggest splash this offseason in loading up for a ‘title-or-bust’ campaign will make its barnstorming stop in Memphis a week before the trade deadline. Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and the supercharged Sixers are sure to bring the spotlight. And count on the Grizzlies to embrace the intensity and opportunity that accompany this matchup. It’s the marquee game in a thrilling month of February at FedExForum that also includes visits from Ja Morant’s Blazers, Desmond Bane’s Magic and the defending champion Knicks leading into the All-Star Break.

March 25: Bulls at Grizzlies&nbsp;It’s wayyyy too lofty praise at this point. But the Cam Boozer-Caleb Wilson fledgling rivalry has potential to develop into the modern version of Tim Duncan-Kevin Garnett. Not only are Duncan and Garnett Hall of Famers, but they are also two of the top-five greatest power forwards to ever play the game. If Boozer and Wilson can get halfway to that status, collectively, it would be a remarkable set of careers. The No. 3 and No. 4 lottery picks teased us in Vegas with the best showdown in all of summer league. Expect more of the same now that games actually count.

mikecheck-my-5-cant-miss-games-as-grizzlies-enter-new-era-amid-nba-schedule-release

MikeCheck: My 5 ‘Can’t Miss Games’ as Grizzlies enter new era amid NBA schedule release

Memphis, Tenn. – The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team signed 2026 first round draft pick Karim López to amulti-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

López (6-8 ¼, 222) played two seasons with the New Zealand Breakers as part of the Australian NBL’s Next Stars programand averaged 10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks in 24.4 minutes in 58 games (53 starts) before he wasacquired by Memphis with the 21st overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.

Last season, the 19-year-old scored 358 points for the Breakers, the most ever by a draft-eligible player in the history ofthe NBL Next Stars program. In his first NBL season, he became the youngest player in league history to register adouble-double by recording 13 points and 10 rebounds at the age of 17 on Oct. 27, 2024, vs. Sydney.

The Hermosillo, Mexico, native is the first Mexican-born player to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft and is amember of the Mexican Senior National Team. He began his professional career in Spain with Joventut Badalona in2023.

grizzlies-sign-karim-lopez-to-multi-year-contract

GRIZZLIES SIGN KARIM LÓPEZ TO MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT

Charter school opens South Memphis campus; launches STEAM girls academy

MEMPHIS&nbsp;– A sudden burst of morning energy shot through the young student as he trudged up the steps toward the front entrance on the first day of school.&nbsp;At the doorway, he quickly froze despite the rising humidity on this late July Memphis morning.&nbsp;“What’s Grizz doing here!” the seventh grader shouted as he spotted the Memphis Grizzlies mascot bearhugging and dapping up each student filing toward the building.&nbsp;“That’s Grizz . . . and this is Grizzlies Prep,” school executive director Tim Ware responded to the mesmerized young man, attempting to connect the dots. “We’re in this thing together.”&nbsp;The Grizzlies’ presence on this revitalized middle school campus in South Memphis amplified the historic significance of the first day of school for the new-look Grizzlies Prep.&nbsp;&nbsp;This week, the all-boys charter school for sixth-through-eighth graders transitioned from its downtown location in a former bank on Jefferson Street to the sprawling grounds that once housed Corry Middle School and Believe Academy.

In addition to the relocation, Grizzlies Prep also welcomed its inaugural sixth-grade class of its STEAM School for Girls. The two schools will share the same campus but will operate in separate wings with a focus on single-gender education formats.&nbsp;For the Grizzlies, this week represents another significant step in solidifying bonds with the city and region through impactful community engagement. The franchise’s relationship with Grizzlies Prep began 15 years ago when the school first launched as the nation’s only all-boys charter middle school affiliated with an NBA franchise.&nbsp;Through the years, the Memphis Grizzlies Foundation has contributed to the school’s growth with sponsored scholars’ programs, mentoring initiatives, career-day partnerships and engagement with players, coaches and staff.&nbsp;Young students weren’t the only ones excited for the school’s opening when they arrived and were greeted by Grizz, the Grizz Girls and longtime franchise hype man Brandon “BLJ” Johnson.

Dozens of parents, relatives and community supporters gathered near the front of the school Monday with huge smiles and cell phones in hand as the Grizzlies connected with each student.&nbsp;The organization’s personal touch is only the beginning of partnership opportunities and visits in the works this season for one of Tennessee’s top-performing charter middle schools.&nbsp;Grizzlies Prep has earned a Level-5 distinction from the state in four of the past five academic years for student growth in multiple categories, including state-wide tested curriculum subjects.&nbsp;Two years ago, state and local education officials approved Grizzlies Prep’s application to expand and open one of Tennessee’s only STEAM-focused (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) schools specifically for middle school girls.&nbsp;That application was supported by a letter to the Memphis-Shelby County School Board from Terri Carmichael Jackson, the mother of former Grizzlies All-Star power forward Jaren Jackson Jr.&nbsp;&nbsp;The assist from Mrs. Jackson, executive director of the WNBA’s Players Association, formally came to fruition this week as the sixth-grade class of girls entered the school together Monday.

“Your letter of support meant so much during the application stage of this journey,” Ware shared in a statement to Jackson. “Having someone whose life has been dedicated to expanding opportunity, empowering women and strengthening communities believe in our vision was encouraging and affirming. Because of your leadership and support, hundreds of young women now have a place where they can discover their gifts, build confidence and prepare to lead.”&nbsp;A remarkable aspect of Grizzlies Prep is that the school draws its student body from every zip code in Memphis. That diversity is also reflected in the administrative and teaching staffs.&nbsp;With a target enrollment of 550 students, there are still a few open seats available in each class – sixth, seventh and eighth-grade boys and sixth-grade girls – for this school year (visit www.GrizzliesPrep.org&nbsp;for enrollment information).

Among the voices that resonated from this week’s opening day of school was that of University of Memphis basketball legend and former NBA standout Elliot Perry.&nbsp;“To see how all of this has come together with this school, and the addition of the girls’ school, is an example of what’s great about our city and our communities,” shared Perry, chairman of the Grizzlies Foundation board and also a member of Grizzlies Prep board of directors. “Let’s keep getting the word out on this historic new era.”&nbsp;It was exactly 10 years ago when Perry, affectionately known as E.P., first expressed a similar message to me about G.P.&nbsp;I had just moved to Memphis from Miami after covering the NBA as a reporter, analyst and radio personality for ESPN. As I shifted into my role helping to launch Grind City Media with the Grizzlies, my new broadcast teammate asked me one day to hang out with him on a school visit.&nbsp;“We mentor over there every Tuesday after school,” Perry told me then. “It’s a special place, man, but I want you to see it for yourself. You can have an impact on our young men at G.P.”&nbsp;Enough said.

On a Tuesday after Labor Day weekend in 2016, I met E.P. at G.P. and the rest is history. I committed – first to the mentoring program, and then to the school – and never left.&nbsp;Three years later, we enrolled my youngest son, Kevin, at G.P. and I eventually accepted a parent volunteer board member position at the school. At his 8th-grade graduation ceremony, we were asked to share the commencement address on our father-and-son G.P. journey. There’s never been a more meaningful assignment in my life.&nbsp;Kevin, now entering his senior year in high school, arrived at the new G.P. with me this week to take in the new campus. He saw familiar teachers who taught him when he was a foot shorter, back when his voice was more mousey and less mannish than today.&nbsp;As he walked into a social studies classroom, his former teacher introduced Kevin as a G.P. alum and then caught him off guard with a request in front of the room full of students.

“As you think back, share with these guys one piece of advice you’ve learned that can help them in eighth-grade this year,” Mr. Walsh beckoned.&nbsp;Kevin thought in awkward silence a few seconds as he scanned the room.&nbsp;&nbsp;“Know that your friends and social circle is important,” Kevin told the class. “But know that more important are your academics right now. Get that on track first. And don’t forget to advocate for yourself when you need help or something. Speak up if you don’t understand.”&nbsp;An expression of equal parts amazement, shock and pride flashed across Mr. Walsh’s face. I recognized it immediately, because it reflected mine.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Moments earlier, it was the same look Kevin had as he walked through the much wider hallways and seemingly limitless classrooms throughout the building than what he had at the old G.P. That look remained as he saw the basketball court inside the gymnasium and the expansive fields potentially for football, baseball, soccer and track just beyond the doors outside.&nbsp;“I loved being downtown at our school, because we walked to our field trips and places,” Kevin admitted. “But now they have all this space. They got a gym, fields and stuff we didn’t have.”

Magnificent progress was evident on all fronts.&nbsp;G.P.’s teachers could clearly see the maturation of a former student and leaned on that legacy.&nbsp;Meanwhile, that alum marveled at his former school’s growth, expansion and what’s to come.&nbsp;Day 1 of school was the dawn of a new era.&nbsp;For Grizzlies Prep and the Grizzlies, it’s one fueled by fond memories and forward momentum.

mikecheck-grizzlies-provide-opening-week-boost-as-grizz-prep-launches-historic-new-era

MikeCheck: Grizzlies provide opening week boost as Grizz Prep launches ‘historic new era’

Memphis, Tenn. – The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team reached a buyout agreement with wingKentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Caldwell-Pope (6-5, 204) appeared in 51 games (14 starts) for the Grizzlies last season and averaged 8.4 points, 2.5rebounds and 2.7 assists in 21.9 minutes after he was acquired from the Orlando Magic on June 15, 2025.

The 33-year-old has competed in 963 games (784 starts) over his 13-year NBA career with the Detroit Pistons, LosAngeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Denver Nuggets, Magic and Grizzlies and has averaged 11.0 points, 2.9 rebounds,1.9 assists and 1.1 steals in 29.2 minutes. Selected by Detroit with the eighth overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft out ofGeorgia, the Thomaston, Ga., native won NBA championships with the Lakers in 2020 and the Nuggets in 2023.

grizzlies-reach-buyout-agreement-with-kentavious-caldwell-pope

GRIZZLIES REACH BUYOUT AGREEMENT WITH KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE

Grizzlies aim to keep bonding, building as summer league shifts to Vegas

LAS VEGAS – Through his initial appearances in summer league play, Grizzlies rookie lottery pick Cam Boozer has already shown there’s not much he can’t do on an NBA basketball court. Off the court, however, there is at least one area where a struggle surfaces. Just ask the 18-year-old power forward about himself and how his adjustment process is going. “It’s really more about the team,” Boozer often insists as he deflects the focus from himself and onto the team’s collective mindset. “How can we keep growing together and try to win games? We just have to keep building, keep learning from each other and keep playing the right way."

So far, Boozer’s shooting has been great. His passing and facilitating have been next-level phenomenal. And his knack for being in ideal position to make the right play on both ends of the court has NBA scouts confident Boozer will have an immediate impact in his transition to the league. But the best skill Boozer has shown is perhaps an ability to keep everything in perspective. That characteristic will be key as the Grizzlies shift from their initial three-game summer stint in Salt Lake City to the full 30-team setup in Las Vegas for NBA Summer League action. When the Grizzlies open the Vegas portion of their summer schedule Friday against the Bulls, it will mark the second game for Boozer against another marquee player chosen near the top of last month’s NBA Draft. The Grizzlies selected Boozer out of Duke with the third overall pick, one spot before the Bulls took Caleb Wilson fourth out of North Carolina. Boozer and Wilson were widely considered the top two power forward prospects coming into the NBA following their lone season in college.

Understandably, a national TV network audience and the Vegas spotlights will be on that matchup. What’s also clear is Boozer will deflect that focus onto his team’s objective to keep building the foundation from a week of minicamp in Memphis and three games in Salt Lake City. “The best part about what he does – and what our team embodies - is he has a team-first mentality,” Grizzlies summer league coach Erik Schmidt shared about his early impressions of Boozer. “He’s not trying to do what’s best for him; he’s doing what’s best for the team. Overall, that’s the culture we’ve set with the Grizzlies, having that team-first mentality.” That mindset and versatile skillset have produced encouraging early signs. It’s why the Grizzlies are so excited about the potential Boozer adds to a retooled younger core as the franchise reshapes the roster amid a pivotal offseason. That process continued Wednesday when the Grizzlies announced a six-team trade that centered on acquiring defensive-oriented big man Isaiah Stewart and a conditional future first-round draft pick. Memphis also signed restricted free-agent center Quinten Post from Golden State in a move that bolsters a rugged and skilled frontcourt around Boozer and starting center Zach Edey, a first-team NBA All-Rookie pick two seasons ago. The Grizzlies have taken a clear path forward by reestablishing their frontcourt foundation.

Based on initial results in summer league development and offseason transactions, there’s encouraging progress being made on multiple fronts. On the court, Boozer is coming off a two-game stint in Salt Lake City where he averaged 16 points, six rebounds and five assists as he shot an uber-efficient, 65-percent from the field. That second outing came Monday in a high-profile game against the host Utah Jazz, which drafted Kansas scoring guard Darryn Peterson with the second overall pick. Both Peterson and Boozer delivered in that game. Boozer finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists while Peterson countered with 25 points and 12 assists to lead the Jazz to a 109-100 victory. Boozer and Peterson are part of a lottery draft class many analysts believe could be the most talented the NBA has seen in 30 years. After facing the Grizzlies, Peterson alluded to the competitive drive between many of the players taken at the top of this draft class.

National networks are capitalizing on those potential budding rivalries with the first games in Las Vegas, where Peterson’s Jazz will face the Wizards and No. 1 pick A.J. Dybansta on Thursday. What’s impressed teammates and coaches most about Boozer is how he combines a relentless work ethic with a willingness to learn and a low-key public persona despite the attention he’s drawn. At Duke, Boozer was a consensus National Player of the Year as a son of former Blue Devils standout and two-time NBA All-Star forward Carlos Boozer. With the Grizzlies these first few weeks, Boozer is simply the rookie eager to learn the ropes of the NBA and meet each day’s challenge with his summer teammates. Boozer was among the summer team starters held out of Tuesday’s final game in Salt Lake City on the second night of a back-to-back set. But that didn’t stop him from being locked in and engaged as if he suited up, according to rookie undrafted guard Brendan Hausen. “He’s really vocal in the locker room and he’s taken steps every single day,” described Hausen, who led the Grizzlies with 21 points against the Hawks. “He’s even bigger and better in person than I could imagine. Obviously, what he did at Duke was special. But he’s a pure talent and is going to be really good (at this level).” Grizzlies forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper has seen promising young talent come into the league each of the three seasons he’s been in the NBA. Yet, there are things that set Boozer apart.

“He’s very, very, very mature for his years,” Prosper explained. “The way he plays the game, he plays at his own pace. He’s fundamentally skilled. And he’s just a great dude off the court. He’s going to be a great addition to our team, and I’m glad I’m able to play with him right now to start learning from him and for him to start learning from us. He’s been great for us.” Schmidt knows what he’s seen so far is only the beginning. Boozer’s barely taken baby steps into the NBA.

“The cleanest way to put it is he impacts winning,” Schmidt analyzed. “That’s the type of player you want to bring into this organization. He’s not the only one; we have other rookies who will impact winning also. In terms of how he does it, one, he sees the game extremely well.” That vision leads to instinctive action. “He processes things at an extremely fast speed, he involves his teammates and gets people going,” Schmidt continued. “He’s able to create in a lot of different ways, whether he’s handling or screening or creating extra possessions off offensive boards. He’s able to do a bit of it all.” All, except making any of this initial process about himself.

mikecheck-boozers-nba-indoctrination-with-grizzlies-driven-by-team-first-mentality

MikeCheck: Boozer’s NBA indoctrination with Grizzlies driven by ‘team-first mentality’

Memphis Trades Santi Aldama and Draft Rights to Tarik Biberovic to Dallas,&nbsp;

Memphis, Tenn. – The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team acquired center Isaiah Stewart from the Detroit Pistons, guard AJ Johnson from the Dallas Mavericks and guard D’Angelo Russell from the Washington Wizards in addition to securing a conditional future first round draft pick, three future second round draft picks and a future second round draft pick swap as part of a six-team trade that also included the LA Clippers and Milwaukee Bucks.

As part of the deal, Memphis traded forward Santi Aldama and the draft rights to wing Tarik Biberovic (56th overall in 2023) to Dallas and sent three future second round picks to Detroit.

Stewart (6-8, 250) has competed in 365 regular season games over six seasons, all with the Pistons, and has averaged 8.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 blocks in 24.3 minutes. The 25-year-old averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and a career-high 1.6 blocks in 22.7 minutes last season as a key contributor for a Pistons team that recorded 60 wins during the regular season and secured the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference. Stewart limited opponents to 59.3 percent shooting in the restricted area last season, third-best in the NBA (min. 500 shot attempts allowed).

Selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the 16th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft following his freshman year at Washington, the Rochester, N.Y., native has been selected to the 2020-21 NBA All-Rookie Second Team and last season was named the December 2025 Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Month. He has placed inside the top 20 in the NBA in blocks per game four times and has ranked in the top 6 in the league in blocks per 100 possessions in each of the past two seasons.

Johnson (6-6, 183) has appeared in 77 games (11 starts) over two seasons with the Bucks, Wizards and Mavericks and has averaged 4.9 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 14.2 minutes. The 21-year-old also has competed in 43 games (39 starts) for the NBA G League’s Wisconsin Herd, Capital City Go-Go and Texas Legends and has averaged 15.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 29.1 minutes.

The Fresno, Calif., native was selected by Milwaukee with the 23rd overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft after he played the 2023-24 season professionally for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia’s NBL.

Russell (6-3, 193) has played 655 games (539 starts) over 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Brooklyn Nets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves and Mavericks and has averaged 17.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.6 assists in 29.4 minutes. The 30-year-old Louisville, Ky, native, who made 26 appearances for the Mavericks last season before a midseason trade to the Wizards, was named an NBA All-Star during the 2018-19 season as a member of the Nets.

Aldama (6-11, 224) appeared in 278 games (82 starts) over five seasons with the Grizzlies and averaged 10.4 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 23.4 minutes. The 25-year-old, who averaged career highs with 14.0 points and 6.7 rebounds in 27.9 minutes last season, also competed in 10 playoff games (one start) and averaged 9.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 22.2 minutes.

The Las Palmas, Spain, native was acquired by Memphis with the 30th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft following his sophomore year at Loyola Maryland, where he was named to the 2020-21 All-Patriot League First Team. A member of the Spanish national team, Aldama was the MVP of the 2019 FIBA U18 European Championship and represented Spain at the 2025 FIBA EuroBasket.

Biberovic (6-7, 218) was selected by the Grizzlies with the 56th overall pick of the 2023 NBA Draft and has played the past eight seasons professionally for Fenerbahçe in Türkiye. The 25-year-old native of Bosnia and Herzegovina averaged 12.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 24.0 minutes in 34 games (30 starts) last season in the Turkish BSL.

grizzlies-acquire-isaiah-stewart-aj-johnson-dangelo-russell-conditional-first-round-pick-three-second-round-picks-and-second-round-pick-swap-in-six-team-trade

Grizzlies Acquire Isaiah Stewart, Aj Johnson, D'Angelo Russell, Conditional First Round Pick, Three Second Round Picks and Second Round Pick Swap in Six-Team Trade

SALT LAKE CITY  – With three NBA seasons already on his résumé, Olivier-Maxence Prosper knows skepticism may come with a summer league assignment for some players at this stage of his career. He simply refuses to buy into any of it.

“A lot of people may look at summer league like it’s punishment, like you’re just (barely) hanging on or still have so much to prove,” Prosper explained. “Not for me. It’s a great opportunity for me to take a bigger step and a leadership role for next season. I’m here because I want to be here. I see it as a glass-half-full opportunity. And that’s something I value.” Prosper’s experience, contagious optimism and relentless work ethic are also characteristics the Grizzlies highly value in a month of July loaded with NBA Summer League development. There’s a purpose for Prosper’s deployment.  The Grizzlies opened play in the Salt Lake City Summer League over the weekend with rookie third overall draft pick Cam Boozer surrounded by a lineup of returning players who combined to start 100 regular-season games for Memphis last season. Consider it the continuity-plus-Cam approach. As Memphis retools around a younger core group, these three weeks of summer league play in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas should position the franchise to take key early steps in that process. The Grizzlies enter Monday’s game against the host Utah Jazz looking to build on a dominant debut summer effort from Saturday’s 111-74 victory over Oklahoma City. In that game, Prosper joined fellow third-year forward Taylor Hendricks and rising second-year guards Cedric Coward and Javon Small in the opening unit alongside Boozer.

The presence of Prosper, Coward, Hendricks and Small give the Grizzlies one of the more game-experienced rosters of any team competing in NBA summer league action. Much of that group’s exposure came when injuries to veterans pressed many of the Grizzlies’ younger players into extended duty over the final months of the season. Many of those same players continued to work out over the summer in hopes of taking on larger roles going into next season. The Grizzlies are in the midst of a major roster makeover that has seen them trade Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant in the past 12 months. No player on the current main roster has been with Memphis longer than three seasons. That essentially leaves Tuomas Iisalo with a fresh start to implement his system coming off his first complete season as the Grizzlies’ full-time coach. Summer league provides the Grizzlies a space to build from the ground up, aided by a handful of players and prospects who can lean on the crash course they got last season. “They’ve been in Memphis working, and so they’ve set the tone,” Grizzlies assistant and summer league coach Erik Schmidt shared. “So, when our rookies and new guys on the summer roster came in, our young summer vets showed them how to play. They know how we want to play. That sets the tone so that all the guys know what to expect.” With some sense of chemistry already established, the Grizzlies will work to continue setting a tone similar to what they showed Saturday. That continuity helped Memphis race to a double-digit lead four minutes into the game against OKC and never look back. The Grizzlies dished 33 assists, drilled 17 attempts from 3-point range and shot 57.1-percent overall from the field. Prosper, Coward, Small and Hendricks combined for 54 points, 19 rebounds and 15 assists while collectively shooting nearly 60-percent on 3-pointers.

“The mindset has been the same since we got here; play hard, play together and outwork our opponents,” added Small. “We’ve got most of the guys that have been here, so we know what the offense is about, where to be on the floor, so that helps set that tone. You can see it on the court, just by that first game. Nobody thinks they’re bigger than anybody else on the team. We all understand at the end of the day, if we all stay together and win, we’re all going to eat.” There’s a persistent appetite for growth with these Grizzlies. Schmidt detailed after Sunday’s practice that the main priority in Salt Lake City is to install the basics. There is less focus on adjusting to opponents, and more on internal schematic details. “We’re trying to build up the guys’ base of knowledge right now,” Schmidt revealed, specifically of the team’s newcomers. “I think it would be unfair to give them a grade right now for where any of them are, but I give them all a ton of credit for their engagement. They’re learning every day. They’re asking a ton of questions every day. And we’re seeing some of that being applied.”

Count Boozer among the fastest learners.After contributing 15 points, four rebounds and four assists in an encouraging 24-minute effort in the opener, Boozer is eager to get back to work in summer school. Although much of the NBA’s focus will be on Monday’s marquee rookie matchup between Boozer and No. 2 overall pick Darryn Peterson of the Jazz, the Grizzlies’ power forward will continue to look within. Following Monday’s game, Memphis wraps up Salt Lake City summer league play on Tuesday against the Hawks. The Grizzlies then open NBA Summer League play Friday in Las Vegas.   “Obviously, there’s a lot of learning still to do,” Boozer pointed out. “With this group, they’re very easy to play with, just because they’re playing for each other, playing the right way. (Saturday) was a great foundation, but we’ve got to build off that foundation.”

That’s why it’s important to have some young summer vets to lean on. Coming off a game-high 17 points on Saturday, Prosper is just one of several returning Grizzlies who embrace the leadership challenge and opportunity. “It’s about focusing on development and helping my team win the best way we can right now,” Prosper assured. “For us, it’s a chance to stay connected with the coaches and be valuable. That’s how I see it. If you see it from that standpoint, it’s going to take us that much farther.” Right now, summer contributions are already clear to see from these sage young vets.