Memphis enters a season of change with a new floor of expectations, leaning into Ja Morant as the pulse of the offense while reshaping around Zach Edey’s size and in‑season ramp. Desmond Bane’s departure opens significant minutes and creation, forcing the Grizzlies to lean on Ty Jerome, Jaylen Wells, and Scotty Pippen Jr. to shoulder playmaking duties behind Morant. The frontcourt trio of Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clark, and Edey is engineered to maximize pick‑and‑roll and rebounding, while Santi Aldama provides scoring pop off the bench. Injury timelines complicate initial rotations, but Memphis aims to keep Morant unleashed and add depth with athletic wings and a guard corps geared to mix and match around Morant’s usage.

Fantasy angles center on Morant’s workload and health, Wells’ two‑way upside, and Jerome’s potential as a sixth man who can stabilize the offense when Morant rests. Edey’s return will be ramped, but his rim protection and floor spacing could unlock more efficient lineups. If the Grizzlies stay disciplined in their retool, they could push for a top‑6 seed, with each of the new pieces carving out a meaningful role in a system designed to elevate Morant while preserving defensive grit. The trade‑off is whether the youth can translate into immediate fantasy dividends or if the season hinges on Morant’s availability and the ramp time for Edey and the injury‑prone bigs.

This NBA season's rookie class may not have generated overwhelming excitement, but several standout players are making a significant impact within their teams. Jaylen Wells, a second-round pick for the Memphis Grizzlies, has emerged as a key player in their roster alongside fellow rookie Zach Edey, who provides critical support in the frontcourt. In Washington, despite the Wizards' struggles, Alex Sarr is establishing himself as a valuable asset for the team's future. Meanwhile, in San Antonio, Stephon Castle is catching eyes with his promising performances, contributing to the Spurs' development this season.