Grizzlies 2024-25: Roster, Salary Cap & Key Moves Ahead of Ja Morant’s Highly Anticipated Return

The Memphis Grizzlies are waiting for redemption next season, as the team had to go through an unfortunate downfall. However, it made them reflect on their potential stars like Vince Williams and GG Jackson II. Some regular and season-ending injuries shelved the Grizzlies’ hopes for a Western Conference contender. The most prominent one who pushed the squad back was Ja Morant. His suspension for 25 games and subsequent back injury ruled out the Grizzlies’ front-runner.

With a heap of expectations moving into the next season, here’s what we can expect from the roster and salary cap structure.

Memphis Grizzlies’ roster structure for the 2024-25 season

The 25-year-old Ja Morant will be making a comeback next season. Also, league fans can expect Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. to return to the squad. So it will be the first time in the last two seasons that the Grizzlies will look healthy to make a run for their championship goals. Before last season’s disaster, the trio of Bane, JJ Jr., and Morant spearhead the Grizz offense, leading them to back-to-back 50 wins and post-season victories.

They can also bring back Marcus Smart, their offseason moves from 2023. Also, the Grizz are back to the season with their new pick from the 2024-25 draft pick, Zach Edey. This new addition is expected to boost the rim defense for the Memphis Grizzlies. Coming to the bench strength, the Grizz have got Jackson II, Santi Aldama, and Brandon Clarke.

Salary Cup structure and financial equation of the Memphis Grizzlies squad

Currently, the Grizzlies are treading parallel to the first apron mark for the NBA in the 2024-25 season. This year, it’s $178.132 million, and the Grizz are expected to give the players $177.014 million away in guaranteed money. Here is the amount that the players are expected to earn in guaranteed money next season.

Desmond Bane is holding the highest contract from the Memphis Grizzlies worth $197.23 million for five years. Ja Morant is also on a  5 year,  $197,23 million contract, although he has only four years left on his lucrative contract with the Grizz. With a balance of roster and financial books, what can we expect on-court from the Grizzlies?

Who will be the underdog for the Memphis Grizzlies ahead of the next season?

Apart from the key stakeholders in the team, another addition to the roster, 7’4″ center Zach Edey, can make a mark. The Memphis Grizzlies picked him up by the 9th overall pick from this year’s draft class. Before the pick, he deliberately opted out of the 2023 NBA draft to take his Purdue college team, the Boilermakers, to the NCAA Championship title. However, he could not attain it as the team eventually succumbed to UConn in the National Final.

There were rumors that Edey might be drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers, giving him a scenario where he wouldn’t have to perform at his peak right away. However, Edey will face some pressure with the Grizzlies, a team aiming for the playoffs, but he is fully equipped to handle it.

The Canadian can become a reliable starter in the league for an extended period, and he is determined to demonstrate that right away in Memphis.

That’s all for the Memphis Grizzlies squad’s 2024-25 season plan. Who do you all think can make an impact apart from the aforementioned players? Let us know in the comments.

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.