What to know for Memphis Grizzlies offseason: Ja Morant injury status, key dates, NBA draft

The NBA season may be over for the Memphis Grizzlies, but the work is just beginning. A crucial offseason awaits the Grizzlies as they attempt to jump back into the thick of Western Conference contention.

Despite a down season due to injuries, the confidence hasn’t wavered. Star point guard Ja Morant still thinks Memphis can be a championship team next season.

But for that to happen, Memphis needs to make the right moves this offseason. The Grizzlies will be dealing with limited financial flexibility and roster spots available, so it’s going to take some maneuvering to get the job done.

Forward Lamar Stevens is the lone unrestricted free agent on the 15-man roster. The Grizzlies also could go into the luxury tax and will be teetering on the lines of being a first apron team with big financial decisions on Luke Kennard, a potential first-pick pick and possible trade acquisitions.

Going into the luxury tax and first apron would lead to roster building restrictions.

Here’s what you need to know about the Grizzlies offseason:

Grizzlies NBA Draft lottery watch

May 12: The NBA Draft lottery will be a relevant event for the Grizzlies for the first time since the franchise shocked the league and landed in the No. 2 overall spot, eventually drafting Morant. Memphis had the sixth-best odds that season, and it’s currently seventh this year with a 7.5% to land at No. 1 and 31.9% to jump into the top four.

May 13-17: Once Memphis learns its draft positioning, attention will turn the combine workouts. This is another event that feels much more relevant to the Grizzlies this season since there’s no consensus projected top pick.

2024 NBA Draft

June 26-27: This will be the first year of the two-day draft. Memphis will have a top-10 pick on day one, and two second-round selections expected at No. 39 and No. 57 on June 27.

The first-round pick has rightfully gotten most of the attention, but Memphis owning two second-rounders is another reason trades should be expected. Memphis has Trey Jemison and Scotty Pippen Jr. signed to two-way contracts that go into next season. If both those players return, Memphis would be left with one spot available for a two-way contract. With two second-round picks, Memphis is likely either to use one of the picks in a trade or move on from Jemison or Pippen. The trade is the more likely option.

GRIZZLIES GM SPEAKS: Memphis Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman addresses Ja Morant's injury status, offseason plans

Ja Morant's injury status

There's no firm date on when Morant will be fully cleared, but the expectation is "the middle of the summer," according to Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman. Morant said Monday that he's still about two months away from full clearance of all basketball activities. That would line him up to be a full go around late June.

The Grizzlies won't go into camp until late September, so Morant will have plenty of time to build up for the season if everything goes as planned. Morant is the only Grizzlies player who is currently dealing with an injury that will linger that long into the offseason, and he's also the most important one.

GIANNOTTO: Ja Morant's return is still the biggest Memphis Grizzlies offseason storyline | Giannotto

Grizzlies option deadlines

June 29: Memphis hasn’t made any surprising decisions in recent years around the option deadline, but tension is building this offseason. Luke Kennard has a $14.7 million team option that’s due. The Grizzlies have stated their admiration for Kennard, but it feels like both sides may need to work on another number.

Yuta Watanabe also has a player option. Watanabe spent most of his time injured and missing games due to personal reasons. Although he’s expressed his love for playing in Memphis, Watanabe and the Grizzlies parting ways makes sense for roster construction.

Free agency, new-look roster

June 30: By the opening of the free agency period, it should be very clear if the Grizzlies will be aggressive. The Memphis offseason revolves around the draft. If the Grizzlies add their desired big man through the draft, then free agency could be a quiet stretch. If the board leads to Memphis selecting a guard or wing as the best player available, it will be important to pick up a center through free agency.

July 12: Summer League in Las Vegas is expected to begin July 12. Jemison, Pippen and GG Jackson are among the current Grizzlies expected to attend. Draft selections will be expected to join them. And don't forget Tarik Biberovic, a forward who was a second-round selection by Memphis in 2023 as a draft-and-stash player.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What to know Memphis Grizzlies offseason: Ja Morant injury, NBA draft