Memphis Grizzlies Rumors

Grizzlies Considering Will Magnay For 2025/26 Roster?

July 5th, 2025 at 11:59am CST by Rory Maher

Australian big man Will Magnay spent most of the 2020/21 season on a two-way contract with New Orleans, but appeared in just one NBA game that season. He has been out of the league ever since.

Magnay auditioned for NBA teams last summer, but was unable to find a deal to his liking. In February, Sam Vecenie of The Athletic reported that Magnay was drawing interest from NBA teams, and that has carried over to the 2025 offseason.

Magnay is on the Grizzlies‘ summer league roster and has been working out in Memphis over the past week, according to Olgun Uluc of ESPN (Twitter link), who says the Grizzlies seem to be giving serious consideration to adding the 27-year-old forward/center to their 2025/26 roster “in some capacity.”

Since he only has one year of NBA experience, Magnay remains eligible for a two-way deal, though it’s unclear whether that would appeal to him again.

In 13 games with the Tasmania JackJumpers of Australia’s National Basketball League last season, Magnay averaged 13.8 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks in 25.8 minutes per contest. He also made 10 appearances in the Turkish BSL with Mersin MSK, averaging 5.1 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 0.8 SPG and 0.8 BPG in 14.7 MPG.

Western Notes: Nuggets, Lakers, Coward, Queen, Jazz

July 4th, 2025 at 3:15pm CST by Luke Adams

After former Nuggets head coach Michael Malone spent years asking for more veteran depth, Denver’s new top decision-makers – led by general manager Ben Tenzer – have made the sort of moves this offseason that he would’ve appreciated, as Tim Bontemps and Brian Windhorst write for ESPN.com.

Even with Jonas Valanciunas‘ NBA future up in the air, the Nuggets did well to bring back Bruce Brown and add Tim Hardaway Jr. on minimum-salary deals. Executives around the league also took notice of their decision to part with their lone tradable future first-round pick (2032) and forward Michael Porter Jr. in a deal that netted them Cameron Johnson and took them out of the tax.

“That was a prized asset they gave up,” one general manager told ESPN, referencing the unprotected 2032 pick. “Teams have been eyeing that one to see if they’d actually use it.”

“I know Cam Johnson has some past health issues, but Porter’s back issues and knee issues make this move make sense to me,” another executive said to ESPN. “I think Cam and (Nikola) Jokic will connect on the floor well. They both think the game the same way.”

That last point could be an important one, according to one rival GM: “There is only one person who needs to be impressed with their offseason. That’s Jokic. Sometimes the best trades you make are the ones that engage your superstar. If Jokic is energized by those moves, then it was a great summer.”

Here’s more from around the Western Conference:

Within that same ESPN.com story, Bontemps and Windhorst check in on the Lakers, noting that the club has received a handful of inquiries from “eyebrow-raised” teams following Rich Paul‘s cryptic statement accompanying LeBron James‘ opt-in. There’s nothing happening on that front for now, but teams will certainly monitor the situation, according to ESPN’s duo, who add that there was a “small bidding war” early in free agency for forward Jake LaRavia. He ultimately agreed to join the Lakers.
No. 11 overall pick Cedric Coward, whom the Grizzlies traded up to draft, is doubtful to play in Summer League this month, a team spokesperson told Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal. Coward is still making his way back from a shoulder injury that limited him to just six games at Washington State last season. While the 21-year-old said last week that he feels ready to play, Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman told reporters at the time that the rookie wing had only done 1-on-0 work and would need to take part in 5-on-5 drills to be fully cleared.
When the Pelicans faced criticism in the wake of last week’s draft, it was more about giving up a valuable unprotected 2026 first-round pick to move up 10 spots from No. 23 to No. 13 than about the player they chose to pick at that spot. But big man Derik Queen is still taking that criticism personally and using it as motivation, writes Rod Walker of NOLA.com. “I don’t think anybody in that class ever is going to be better than me,” Queen said. “I block all the noise out. (Pelicans head of basketball operations) Joe (Dumars) has got a lot of faith in me. Most of these guys (in the draft), I beat in high school. It doesn’t really matter. I know the NBA is a whole different level. Don’t get too big-headed. Don’t get too low. And just beat on them next year when they come in, and make Joe look like a genius.”
Chuck Terrell, who had been working for the Jazz as their vice president of basketball intelligence, has left that position to become the general manager of Georgia Tech’s men’s basketball program, agent Andy Miller tells Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link).

Summer League Notes: Bulls, Kawamura, Kings, Brink, Jent

July 3rd, 2025 at 2:10pm CST by Rory Maher

The Bulls officially announced their 2025 summer league roster on Thursday afternoon (via Twitter). The group is headlined by recent lottery picks Matas Buzelis and Noa Essengue, plus two-way players Jahmir Young and Emanuel Miller and No. 55 overall pick Lachlan Olbrich, who is expected to sign a two-way deal with Chicago.

The Bulls’ summer league squad also features a handful of unrestricted free agents who have NBA experience. Japanese point guard Yuki Kawamura, who spent 2024/25 (his rookie campaign) on a two-way deal with the Grizzlies, is part of the team, as is ex-Grizzlies forward Maozinha Pereira. Former lottery pick Joshua Primo and guard Javon Freeman-Liberty are on the 14-man roster as well.

Windy City Bulls head coach Billy Donovan III will lead the summer league team for the second consecutive year, tweets K.C. Johnson of Chicago Sports Network.

Here are few more notes related to summer league:

Both of the Kings‘ draft picks — first-rounder Nique Clifford and second-rounder Maxime Raynaud — will compete in summer league action, GM Scott Perry said today at a press conference (Twitter link via Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee). Kings head coach Doug Christie said assistant Dipesh Mistry will be the summer league team’s top coach, as Anderson relays (via Twitter).
Jordan Brink, an assistant on former head coach Tom Thibodeau‘s staff, will be head coach of the Knicks‘ summer league team, reports James L. Edwards III of The Athletic (Twitter link). According to Edwards, Brink was “largely responsible” for New York’s impressive success rate on challenges last season. Given that he’s leading the summer league squad, it seems pretty likely that Brink will be a member of new coach Mike Brown‘s staff, though that’s just informed speculation and hasn’t been confirmed.
Assistant Chris Jent will serve as head coach of the Hornets‘ summer league club, per Rod Boone of The Charlotte Observer (Twitter video link). Jent is a longtime NBA assistant and former player who joined Charles Lee‘s staff last year.

Coaching Rumors: Knicks, Borrego, Shammgod, Magic, Mavs, More

July 2nd, 2025 at 8:49pm CST by Luke Adams

After being denied permission to speak to five NBA head coaches already under contract with rival teams, the Knicks shifted their focus to Mike Brown and Taylor Jenkins, with Jenkins falling behind after “projecting less enthusiasm for the job,” writes Stefan Bondy of The New York Post.

The team spoke to other candidates, including James Borrego and Micah Nori, and Ian Begley of SNY.tv confirms that South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley did, in fact, formally interview for the job as well. However, as Begley writes, the search was always expected to result in the Knicks hiring an experienced NBA head coach.

The Knicks ultimately decided Brown was their man in large part because they believe he’ll bring “leadership and collaboration” to the organization, tweets Steve Popper of Newsday. Casey Powell (aka CP The Fanchise) of Knicks Fan TV (Twitter link) notes that the club is also confident in Brown’s ability to maximize the talent on the roster.

While Brown won’t be forced to retain any of the assistants who worked under Tom Thibodeau, the expectation is that a few will be back, according to Begley, who specifically identifies Rick Brunson, Darren Ermann, Mark Bryant, and Maurice Cheeks as strong candidates to remain in New York.

Brown is targeting Borrego for his lead assistant role, viewing him as an ideal offensive coordinator, Begley writes. However, as Marc Stein of The Stein Line notes (via Twitter), the Pelicans want to keep Borrego as their associate head coach and don’t necessarily have to let him leave for what would be a lateral move in terms of his title.

According to Stein (Twitter link), New Orleans previously denied permission to the Nuggets, who wanted to speak to Borrego about their lead assistant role under David Adelman.

Here are a few more coaching-related notes and rumors from around the NBA:

As expected, Mavericks player development coach God Shammgod has reached a deal with the Magic to become an assistant on Jamahl Mosley‘s staff, reports Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). Rumors about Orlando’s interest in Shammgod, who had been in Dallas since 2019, had circulated since mid-June.
With Shammgod departing, keep an eye on Phil Handy and Mike Penberthy as possible candidates to join the Mavericks‘ staff under Jason Kidd, according to Stein (Twitter links). Both Handy and Penberthy were part of the Lakers’ staff alongside Kidd when Frank Vogel – Dallas’ new lead assistant – was the head coach in Los Angeles.
Omar Cooper Jr., the twin brother of former NBA guard Sharife Cooper and the son of Ace Bailey‘s agent Omar Cooper, is serving as a guest coach for the Jazz during Summer League, per Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune. Cooper Jr. is looking to get into coaching after wrapping up his college playing career at McNeese State this past season.
In announcing its 15-man roster for EuroBasket 2025, the Spanish national team confirmed that former Raptors assistant Sergio Scariolo will be stepping down from his role as Spain’s head coach after the event. BasketNews.com has the story, along with Spain’s roster, which includes Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama.

Jaren Jackson Jr. Undergoes Procedure On Turf Toe

July 2nd, 2025 at 11:13am CST by Luke Adams

July 2: As expected, Jackson has undergone a procedure to repair the turf toe injury in his right foot, the Grizzlies announced on Wednesday (Twitter link). According to the team, he’ll be reevaluated in approximately 12 weeks. That will be just a few days before training camps get underway.

July 1: Just over 24 hours after word broke that the Grizzlies and Jaren Jackson Jr. had agreed to a long-term deal that will pay him $240MM over the next five seasons, the team offered a more sobering update on its star big man.

According to the Grizzlies (Twitter link), Jackson sustained a turf toe injury in his right foot while participating in a “live basketball run offsite.” After evaluation, it was determined that the injured will require a procedure to address.

The Grizzlies haven’t yet provided a recovery timeline for Jackson, indicating that they’ll share another update once he has had the procedure. However, the recovery process from a turf toe procedure is measured in months, not weeks. Ajay Mitchell of the Thunder, for instance, missed more than three months after having a turf toe sprain addressed in January.

The hope in Memphis will be that Jackson is ready to go for training camp, or at least the start of the season, but the team certainly won’t rush the process.With a new mega-deal in hand and fresh off his second All-Star season, Jackson will be a crucial part of the Grizzlies’ postseason aspirations in 2025/26.

The 25-year-old averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.2 steals in 29.8 minutes per game this past season, recording a shooting line of .488/.375/.781. In addition to his All-Star berth, he earned a spot on the All-Defensive second team.

Jackson is the second member of the Grizzlies’ frontcourt to undergo a procedure since the end of the season. Center Zach Edey is expected to miss the start of the 2025/26 campaign after undergoing ankle surgery in June.

Grizzlies, Ty Jerome Agree To Three-Year Deal

June 30th, 2025 at 6:16pm CST by Rory Maher

The Grizzlies will sign free agent guard Ty Jerome to a three-year contract worth $28MM, per Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link). The deal will include a third-year player option, Charania adds.

It has been a busy Monday evening for the Grizzlies, who had already agreed to new deals with Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama, and Cam Spencer. Jerome’s contract will come out of the room exception, which can be worth up to about $27.7MM over three seasons.

Reports leading up to free agency stated that Memphis was the frontrunner to sign Jerome, who is coming off a career year with Cleveland in which he averaged 12.5 points, 3.4 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 70 games (19.9 minutes per contest). He also posted an elite shooting line of .516/.439/.872.

While Jerome was excellent in the Cavaliers’ first-round playoff series vs. Miami, he struggled mightily on both ends of the court in their second-round loss to Indiana. That may have limited his earnings potential to an extent.

Still, it’s surprising that Jerome will “only” make $27.7MM over the next three years, considering the Cavs agreed to give another backup guard — Sam Merrill — a four-year, $38MM deal. Merrill is a better defender, but Jerome was far more productive on offense last season.

Either way, Jerome will secure the first major payday of his career as he nears his 28th birthday (July 8).

Grizzlies, Cam Spencer Agree To Two-Year Deal

June 30th, 2025 at 5:52pm CST by Rory Maher

The Grizzlies have agreed to a two-year, $4.5MM contract with guard Cam Spencer, sources tell Shams Charania of ESPN (Twitter link). The deal is fully guaranteed, Charania adds.

Memphis made Spencer a restricted free agent on Sunday by tendering him a qualifying offer. He spent 2024/25 — his rookie season — on a two-way contract with Memphis.

It’s likely that Spencer signed a minimum-salary contract, which would be worth approximately $4.46MM over the next two seasons.

The 53rd pick of the 2024 draft after winning a national championship with UConn, Spencer appeared in 25 games with the Grizzlies last season, averaging 4.2 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 10.1 minutes per contest. His shooting line was .415/.365/1.000.

The 25-year-old combo guard had a much bigger role in his eight appearances (32.2 MPG) with the Memphis Hustle in ’24/25, averaging 23.5 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.5 APG and 1.2 SPG on .538/.493/.765 shooting.

Spencer will provide depth and outside shooting to the Grizzlies’ backcourt after they traded Desmond Bane to Orlando. They’re also reportedly renegotiating and extending Jaren Jackson Jr. and re-signing Santi Aldama.

Grizzlies, Santi Aldama Agree To Three-Year Deal

June 30th, 2025 at 5:23pm CST by Dana Gauruder

The Grizzlies have taken care of their two big pieces of offseason business within the first half-hour of free agency. After striking a deal to renegotiate and extend Jaren Jackson Jr.‘s contract, the club has reached a three-year, $52.5MM contract agreement with restricted free agent forward Santi Aldama, reports ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).

Even with a limited number of teams able to open up enough cap space to make a competitive offer beyond the $14.1MM non-taxpayer mid-level exception, Aldama was expected to attract interest on the market. The Pistons, in particular, were heavily linked to the Spanish big man. He’ll now stick around in Memphis after a breakout season.

While the full terms of the agreement haven’t been reported yet, it’s quite possible the contract will be heavily frontloaded, cap expert Yossi Gozlan tweets. The Grizzlies could start it as high as $19MM since they have so much luxury tax flexibility. They’ll go over the cap to re-sign Aldama after using their cap space on Jackson’s renegotiation.

Aldama became an RFA when the Grizzlies extended a qualifying offer to him on Sunday.

In 2024/25, he averaged 12.5 points, 6.4 points, and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 36.8% from three, all career-high numbers. He also averaged 13.0 PPG and 6.0 RPG while shooting 41.7% from three in the Grizzlies’ four playoff games this spring.

Jackson, Aldama and 2024 lottery pick Zach Edey — currently recuperating from ankle surgery — now figure to be the key big man in Memphis for years to come.

Grizzlies To Renegotiate, Extend Jaren Jackson Jr.

June 30th, 2025 at 5:18pm CST by Rory Maher

The Grizzlies are expected to renegotiate and extend Jaren Jackson Jr.‘s contract, according to Shams Charania of ESPN, who reports (via Twitter) that Memphis is giving the former Defensive Player of the Year a five-year, $240MM deal.

The forward/center’s new extension will feature a player option for the 2029/30 season, sources tell Charania (Twitter link).

It’s worth noting that the Grizzlies do not currently have the requisite cap room to renegotiate and extend Jackson at the salary that Charania reported — additional cost-cutting moves will be necessary in order to complete the transaction.

John Konchar and Cole Anthony have been rumored as salary-dump candidates, and Charania suggests (via Twitter) that Anthony will likely be the odd man out. The 25-year-old guard is on an expiring $12.9MM contract, but Charania’s reporting suggests he’ll likely be traded or bought out.

Giving Jackson a lucrative new deal was long expected to be a top priority for Memphis. The 25-year-old was entering the final year of his current contract, which would have paid him about $23.4MM in ’25/26.

Based on the terms of his new deal, his salary for next season will need to be increased by nearly $10MM as part of the renegotiation — the $240MM total by Charania likely includes the $23.4MM he’s already owed for next season, so it’ll be closer to $217MM in new money.

As Keith Smith of Spotrac tweets, the Grizzlies need to trim about $7MM in payroll for next season to finalize Jackson’s deal. They’ll have access to the room version of the mid-level exception by operating below the cap, with free agent guard Ty Jerome a rumored target.

Jackson was named an All-Star for the second time last season and earned a spot on the All-Defensive Second Team. In 74 games (29.8 MPG), he averaged 22.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 1.2 SPG and 1.5 BPG, with a shooting line of .488/.375/.781.

The Grizzlies have also agreed to a three-year, $52.5MM deal with restricted free agent forward Santi Aldama, according to Charania.

Memphis has been busy this offseason, trading Desmond Bane to Orlando in a blockbuster deal that saw the Grizzlies acquire four first-round picks, one first-round swap, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Anthony. The Grizzlies then used two of those picks to move up in the draft and land Washington State wing Cedric Coward.

Stein/Fischer’s Latest: Jerome, Kennard, Capela, Lakers, Bulls, More

June 30th, 2025 at 2:42pm CST by Luke Adams

In their latest round-up of scuttlebutt ahead of the start of free agency on Monday, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line (Substack link) reiterate or confirm a few of the rumors that have been percolating in recent days, writing that Dennis Schröder appears to be on track to join the Kings on a two-year deal worth the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, while D’Angelo Russell is widely expected to join the Mavericks on a two-year deal that utilizes the taxpayer mid-level.

Stein and Fischer also stress that the Grizzlies are increasingly regarded as the favorites to land free agent guard Ty Jerome, with rival teams expecting him to sign for a deal in the neighborhood of $9-10MM annually (Twitter link).

Additionally, Stein and Fischer confirm that the Rockets are now eyeing Luke Kennard in addition to Dorian Finney-Smith. Besides Houston, the Hawks and Nuggets are considered potential suitors for Kennard, one of the league’s best outside shooters, according to The Stein Line duo.

Here are a few more fresh pieces of intel from Stein and Fischer:

The Clippers are viewed as a viable candidate to land free agent center Clint Capela. Los Angeles is known to be in the market for an Ivica Zubac backup, with Drew Eubanks not expected to return.
If the Lakers end up losing Finney-Smith in free agency, they’re expected to express interest in another talented perimeter defender, De’Anthony Melton, Stein and Fischer report. Dan Woike of The Athletic (Twitter link) has also heard that there’s mutual interest between Melton and the Lakers. The veteran guard signed for the full non-taxpayer mid-level a year ago, but seems unlikely to land another deal in that range after missing nearly the entire season with a torn ACL.
There’s a “strong expectation” that free agent point guard Tre Jones will remain with the Bulls, Stein and Fischer say. K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Sports Network previously reported that the odds of a reunion between the two sides were rising following the team’s Lonzo Ball trade.
The Bucks are working on potential Pat Connaughton trade scenarios and have a couple possible pathways to a deal, per Stein and Fischer. Milwaukee would likely have to attach a sweetener to move Connaughton, but perhaps could acquire a player in return who would upgrade the rotation.
The Wizards have been gauging the trade market for a pair of veterans on expiring contracts, guard Marcus Smart and big man Kelly Olynyk, Stein and Fischer write. Olynyk technically isn’t even a Wizard yet, as the deal sending him from New Orleans to Washington will become official after the July moratorium — it sounds like there’s a chance he’s flipped to another team.
DeMarre Carroll and former Wizards assistant Brian Randle are expected to have two of the front-of-bench spots on Jordan Ott‘s coaching staff, but the new Suns coach is still seeking a lead assistant who has previous head coaching experience, according to Stein and Fischer.