Reporting by Ramona Shelburne, Tim MacMahon and Michael C. Wright
The Memphis Grizzlies` decision to fire head coach Taylor Jenkins came as a shock, especially considering his successful record with the team. This move raises questions about the organization`s direction and future.
Interestingly, Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors almost joined the Grizzlies as a free agent in 2023. Sources close to Green indicated he seriously considered leaving the Warriors, even informing his coach and teammates about a potential sign-and-trade deal with Memphis.
The Grizzlies were very interested in Green, believing his veteran experience and toughness would address the team`s needs after a tumultuous season. That season included Ja Morant`s suspension for displaying a firearm and a disappointing playoff loss.
Following an internal review, the Grizzlies aimed to replace Dillon Brooks with a more seasoned veteran like Green, hoping to improve team culture and provide better mentorship for young stars Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Memphis pursued Green aggressively, even offering him a more lucrative contract than Golden State. They recognized his insights from the 2022 playoff series, where Green pointed out areas for the Grizzlies` improvement.
Since that 2022 season, the Grizzlies have faced a reality check. Ultimately, they signed Derrick Rose and traded for Marcus Smart to fill Brooks`s void. However, the Smart trade didn`t yield the expected results, leading to him being traded again.
The Grizzlies also explored trades for Mikal Bridges and Dorian Finney-Smith, seeking an elite wing defender to replace Brooks.
The question remains whether Morant, Jackson, and Desmond Bane can become true championship contenders. If so, a change in leadership was deemed necessary.
The Grizzlies believe firing Taylor Jenkins, just before the playoffs, was the answer. While shocking, the decision reflects a deeper issue: optimizing Morant`s potential and finding the right direction for the team quickly.
General Manager Zach Kleiman emphasized “urgency” and “clarity of direction” as the reasons for firing Jenkins and two assistant coaches late in the season.
The lack of clarity referred to the team`s offensive approach. The Grizzlies experimented with European offensive concepts and spacing principles from hockey and soccer. However, player buy-in was challenging.
Two new assistants, Tuomas Iisalo and Noah LaRoche, were brought in to implement these new offensive visions, supervised by Jenkins. Iisalo focused on pick-and-roll schemes and pacing, while LaRoche prioritized spacing and reduced pick-and-rolls.
Jenkins, despite his experience, had never met these assistants before. The Grizzlies invested heavily in them, including a buyout and significant salaries.
To accommodate these changes, Kleiman requested Jenkins to replace five existing assistant coaches. Jenkins complied, but reportedly felt it was a mistake.
The front office wanted a clean break from the team`s past approach. This overhaul signaled to the league and players that Jenkins`s position was unstable.
Players recognized the implications of firing assistant coaches, understanding it undermined Jenkins`s authority, especially when implementing new, unfamiliar offensive systems.
Jenkins had previously overcome challenges as a first-time head coach, earning respect through his work ethic and basketball knowledge. However, this situation presented a different level of difficulty.
The new offense aimed for purposeful pace and ball movement, emphasizing quick scoring opportunities and attacking defenses. Initially, Morant seemed receptive to these changes.
However, Morant`s enthusiasm waned when asked about playing off-ball more, a key aspect of the new system. His reserved response hinted at underlying frustrations.
Despite his talent, Morant`s pick-and-roll performance is statistically below average. This made an offense less reliant on pick-and-rolls appealing to the Grizzlies.
LaRoche`s system emphasized player relocation to create space, while Iisalo focused on pace and transition offense, areas where Morant excels.
Initially, the Grizzlies` offense was statistically impressive, leading the league in scoring and pace. However, this novelty wore off as opponents adjusted and injuries accumulated.
The new offense proved less effective against stronger teams, and concerns grew about Morant`s role. The system reduced his touches and scoring opportunities, leading to career lows in key offensive metrics and public and private frustrations.
Jenkins attempted to adapt by incorporating more pick-and-roll plays. While Morant showed glimpses of his old self in some games, overall team performance declined.
Defensively, the Grizzlies also regressed. Internally, the perception was that Jenkins had “lost the locker room” after the coaching staff changes. Team chemistry suffered, with players displaying visible frustration.
Despite being in a decent playoff position, Kleiman decided the urgency for change outweighed waiting. He fired Jenkins, LaRoche, and another assistant, promoting Iisalo to interim head coach to clarify the offensive vision and revitalize the team.
The Grizzlies hope this change will mirror the Cavaliers` success under a new coach, believing in their core group and making necessary adjustments. They are committed to extending Jackson and Aldama and have affirmed their commitment to Morant.
Moving forward, the Grizzlies are signaling a return to a more pick-and-roll-heavy offense under Iisalo, reaffirming their investment in Morant. However, questions remain about Morant`s ability to lead a championship-contending franchise, given his off-court issues and injuries.
The ultimate question is whether this Grizzlies core is truly capable of contending for a title. Time will tell, but another “reality check” may be on the horizon for Memphis.
