Memphis wants to rebuild its culture in the National Basketball Association.
Taylor Jenkins had the Grizzlies headed to the Western Conference playoffs for the fourth time in six seasons; however, the franchise fired him before the postseason happened. Memphis got swept by Oklahoma City in the first-round, and it recently traded one of its best players. Desmond Bane, 26, spent five seasons with the Grizzlies — averaging double figures in scoring in four of those years.
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He shot a career-best 48.4 percent from the field, totaled a career-high 6.1 rebounds per game, and had a career mark of 1.2 steals per game this season to go with 19.2 points per matchup.
Memphis traded him Sunday to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Cole Anthony, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP), four unprotected first-round picks — including the 16th overall pick of this year’s NBA Draft — and a 2029 first-round pick swap.
A lot of conversation swirled on social media about whether the Grizzlies should deal away star point guard, Ja Morant. Morant, 25, is a two-time All-Star and an extremely talented player. He averaged 23.2 points per game in the 2024-25 campaign, but has injuries and off-the-court issues.
Zach Randolph, a Grizzlies legend, had his No. 50 jersey retired by the franchise. “Z-Bo,” a former Michigan State standout, played eight seasons in Memphis. He experienced the best years of his career with the Grizzlies, including a two-time All-Star selection in 2010 and 2013. Randolph was “The Big Podcast” with Shaquille O’Neal and revealed his advice to Morant.
Zach Randolph’s advice to Ja Morant:
“I just tell him, you going to be alright, just keep your head up high because I’ve been through sh*t…It’s about how you bounce back.” pic.twitter.com/hxORMbrLs4
— The Big Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) June 19, 2025
“Ja is a special player,” Randolph said. “I have always said he is special. And, you know, we need him in Memphis. That is the city. That is the team. He is everything. He is one of the best players in the NBA right now. I just tell him, you going to be alright, just keep your head up high because I’ve been through sh*t…It’s about how you bounce back.”
Randolph wants to see Morant get back healthy and prove doubters wrong.
Stephen M. Smith is a writer for Ball Exclusives. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.
