Memphis Grizzlies Roster 2025: Full Breakdown of the Team

The Memphis Grizzlies roster has experienced significant turnover ahead of the 2025 season. The Grizzlies have made multiple trades, acquired a respectable draft class, and developed young players to create a deep and well-rounded roster to compete in the Western Conference. These roster additions now include efficient scoring, elite defenders, and exciting youth players. To tidy up, the Grizzlies will have a healthy Ja Morant, the return of Zach Edey, and new faces like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Cole Anthony after trading their first-round pick, Desmond Bane.

There are more wrinkles as this restructured roster provides depth, versatility, and experience. The team's transformation is completed with a long-range view towards the future that prioritizes restoring a balance of star players, veteran leaders, and young developing players. Fans and analysts will be watching the Grizzlies closely in the lead-up to the 2025 season to see if this revamped team is ready to punch its ticket to another storied playoff run in a rugged Western Conference.

Memphis Grizzlies Roster 2025

Memphis Grizzlies roster has been put together with a little bit of everything: athleticism, toughness on the defensive end, and promising players. Memphis has provided some depth and support that Ja Morant can rely upon upon his return. Jaren Jackson Jr. remains a defensive stalwart, and rookie Zach Edey can use his height and strength to protect the rim. The Grizzlies acquired Kentavious Caldwell‑Pope and signed Cole Anthony. Now, they have a little more shooting and play-making depth.

Their roster composition is now more versatile, and they can be active defending and running, or they can slow things down in the half-court, learning how to incorporate their new players into the lineup. They have a physically strong front court, and the guards are nimble and quick, which gives them some advantage both ways on the court. With the addition of players to the roster and the comfort in being able to manage the way in which they play, the combination of youth and experience could ultimately help them get past the early-round playoff exits and contend for a top-six position in the West this season. Memphis has a reworked depth chart and should be a team to watch for during the 2025 season.

Memphis Grizzlies Key Players

The Memphis Grizzlies rely on a few special players who serve as the foundation for who they are. These players do not just produce good numbers; they add chemistry and leadership that amps the Grizzlies’ pace of play. At the top of the list is Ja Morant, a high-flying guard with extraordinary awareness and agility to exploit defensive nightmares. Following Morant is Jaren Jackson Jr., an elite two-way player who adds value by getting stops, while also scoring. And their latest budding star Zach Edey, who possesses size, athleticism, and size. These three players are the logistical and proverbial engine of Memphis, while the remaining players will be based on them.

Altogether, their chemistry, intensity, and talent give the Grizzlies the ability to play with their competition. With Ja leading the offensive direction, and Jackson defending the paint, while Edey emboldens the other two players, the Grizzlies can live up to their potential in the playoffs. These three players give the Grizzlies the best chance for success in 2025.

Ja Morant (23.2 PPG)

Ja Morant is at the center of the Memphis Grizzlies. Morant averages 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds for his career has all the components you want in an offensive engine, with elite speed, elite ball-handling, and elite finishers around the rim, making him one of the most explosive guards in the NBA.

Morant missed time last season due to a hip injury, but he is healthy and ready to take on any load. He also brings energy and excitement back to the team. Morant is an individual who inspires younger players and will definitely hold them to the expectations he has on and off the court. Morant is a multiple-time All-Star and he shows no signs of stalling in his ascension to greatness every season.

Zach Edey (9.2 PPG)

Zach Edey has quickly become the most dominant rookie in the league. He is bringing size and rebounding to the Grizzlies that they desperately needed at his 7'4", 305 lb frame. He is averaging 9.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in his rookie season. He was the NCAA Player of the Year at Purdue and has transitioned perfectly to the pro league with his post-up game and tough defense.

Edey has already had a 21-rebound game, which shows that he has the traits of a franchise center and that he has huge upside. Edey has a very strong presence inside, which can help shooters space the floor better; he is simply a perfect fit for a rebounding and offensive-sided presence. Edey still has a lot of work to do on his shot and also foot movement, but he is already an elite defender. Edey also made the All-Rookie team, which should tell anyone that he belongs.

Jaren Jackson Jr. (22.2 PPG)

Jaren Jackson Jr. is a vital, two-way player for the Memphis Grizzlies. He is averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks on a team with generally little help on the floor. Having the unique attribute of versatility in the NBA, Jackson offers rim protection while simultaneously stretching the floor and provoking mismatches. This dynamic suggests an ongoing debate around who is the most versatile big in the league. From a more concrete perspective, Jackson won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year for the 2023 season, and at this point is leading the Grizzlies in both total and individual blocks for the season.
Offensively, Jackson has fine-tuned his shooting ability from deep, and his post moves are adequate that he can feasibly be the second scorer next to Ja Morant. His value around the basket exists not only when defending against his own player, or defending the rim, but also offers spacing for teammates, allowing them to get the defense in the properties of their rotations.

Memphis Grizzlies Draft Picks 2025

The 2025 NBA Draft provided the Memphis Grizzlies with yet another chance to improve their backcourt, and they did just that by selecting Javon Small. Small is known for his speed, scoring ability, and good decision-making, and the Grizzlies made sure to grab him to add some depth to their guards behind Ja Morant. Following the exit of Desmond Bane and a need for more consistent second-unit playmakers, the front office focused on acquiring a guard who would be versatile and able to help immediately.

Small was one of the best-balanced players left, and his leadership characteristics stood out well for him during interviews and workouts. The Grizzlies thought he could adjust to the speed of the NBA's game and intensity fairly quickly while giving them solid backup minutes and high-level distribution when on the ball. The Grizzlies expect that Small will give them a little more consistency during transition games and late-game situations. The Grizzlies' 2025 draft picks appear to be a commitment towards athletes with a high basketball IQ and a long-term plan for each selection.

Javon Small (Guard)

The Memphis Grizzlies drafted Javon Small during the 2025 NBA Draft to address the need for a reliable backup point guard. Small had a nice college career where he put up 16.5 points, 5.2 assists, and 4.8 rebounds per game. He even shot over 37% from deep and looked confident shooting the ball and it was evident he had developed his shooting efficiency during his college career. What the Memphis Grizzlies found appealing with Small is his ability to create off the dribble and keep the offense afloat without turning it over.

Small's quick first step and ability to drive into the lane adds a new layer of movement to the Grizzlies even if it comes from the second unit. Coaches were impressed with his work ethic and attention to detail as a professional during the Summer League. Small’s overall ability and poise are suited for Memphis's system. He is expected to grow into a good rotation player and perhaps a starter even in the future.

Memphis Grizzlies Season Expectations

With a retooled roster, the Memphis Grizzlies anticipate many great things during their 2025 season. The Grizzlies, coming off an undoubtedly successful previous season finishing 48-34 while getting the 8th seed in the Western Conference, are looking to bypass the play-in tournament when Ja Morant returns from injury and a top-6 seed in the West. With the addition of Zach Edey and the addition of veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, this roster has significantly better balance, shooting, and rim protection capabilities.
The Grizzlies increased their mid-range defensive rating from last season and were the top team in the fast-tempo league rating. Coach Tuomas Iisalo stressed transition scoring, rebounding, and defensive effort would be critical to their success this season.
Coach Iisalo also aims to build upon the collective chemistry gained from last year, as the Grizzlies will have more consistent lineups, provide fewer injuries, and improve the overall consistency of play as the season progresses. If everything comes together, Memphis believes they should be able to push for a second-round playoff participant or more.