Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman On 48 Wins: ‘Who Cares? It’s Not Good Enough’

Memphis Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman was blunt at his end-of-season presser, assessing what the Grizzlies had accomplished as inadequate.

“Disappointing season,” Kleiman said. “A lot to sort through here. Forty-eight wins, good for an eight seed, but who cares? It’s not good enough.”

The Grizzlies looked very strong through the first half of the season, occupying a spot in the top four of the standings. Despite several injuries, they kept finding ways to win.

It’s the second half of the season that fell apart, ultimately resulting in the firing of head coach Taylor Jenkins just a few weeks before the playoffs. The Grizzlies finished with the eighth seed and a nightmare matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The result was a sweep, including Ja Morant suffering a hip injury in Game 3 and not playing Game 4.

“I don’t think we can look back on this season and this series and think we’re close,” Kleiman said. “No, we’re not close. There’s a lot of work to be done, I need to be open-minded on multiple respects. It’s been clear for some time, from a cultural standpoint, from the type of guys we want here.”

Kleiman’s Grizzlies Vision

Kleiman went on to explain that it’s become abundantly clear that players who fit the vision are players who embrace the blue collar mentality of emphasis. The patented Grit n Grind culture has been a part of the franchise’s history for over a decade now.

Who fits and doesn’t fit that vision remains to be seen but it appears likely that changes are coming. He did however clarify that he stands by his February comments that there is no intention to trade Morant.

There was no commitment shown to interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo so a head coach hiring process seems on the cards.

He also did note that trading Marcus Smart at the deadline has opened up necessary flexibility now but that declining Jake LaRavia’s rookie scale option was a mistake.