The Memphis Grizzlies are in the midst of a turbulent offseason and a blockbuster trade involving Desmond Bane, and now the Golden State Warriors‘ Draymond Green has added his voice to the conversation, delivering a pointed critique of the organization and a direct message to its stars.
The development comes following swirling rumors around Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant, has turned Memphis into the epicenter of NBA uncertainty as he warns of the broader implications for Memphis.
“I think it leaves Memphis sort of in the same position they were in,” Green said on The Draymond Green Show. “They still got Jaren, they still got Ja.
“But here’s the thing: all organizations ain’t trying to win championships. It should be clear as day to Ja; you got to understand how this business works.”
The Desmond Bane trade and its implications for the Grizzlies
The Bane trade netted Memphis draft picks and role players and has intensified speculation that the franchise is transitioning into a rebuild, despite a strong 2024/25 NBA season that saw them eliminate the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs.
With Bane gone and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope arriving in the deal, analysts have begun connecting the dots to possible future trades, and one YouTube analyst proposed that the Lakers could come in for a swoop.
Executives at the Crypto.com Arena could move for both Jaren Jackson Jr. and Caldwell-Pope, positioning themselves to bolster their roster around LeBron James and Luka Doncic as they chase down a first championship since the 2019/20 season.
“I’m trying to get them a championship,” Caldwell-Pope said of his goal in Memphis, before cryptically adding: “I don’t want to spill too much of what the organization’s trying to do.”
For Jackson Jr., the future remains unclear. The former Defensive Player of the Year is coming off a season in which he averaged 22.2 points per game. Still, with his max contract eligibility looming, it’s uncertain whether the Grizzlies view him as a cornerstone or a valuable trade chip.
The Lakers, in need of frontcourt reinforcement after sending Anthony Davis to the Dallas Mavericks in the Doncic trade, could present an appealing destination in the NBA’s Western Conference.
As ever, Morant continues to be a figure of uncertainty for Memphis. With only 59 games played over the past two seasons due to injuries and off-court issues, including disciplinary suspensions, his trajectory is increasingly unpredictable.
One particularly bold trade proposal even speculated a swap with the Sacramento Kings involving Domantas Sabonis-an idea that underscores how much Morant’s standing in Memphis has shifted.
If Draymond Green‘s assessment is correct, the Grizzlies may be signaling a strategic retreat rather than a competitive push as they lick their wounds and prepare to rebuild for future seasons to come.
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