Memphis Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman met with reporters on Sept. 28 for media day inside the Don Poier Media Center.
Much has changed on the Grizzlies front since Kleiman last spoke at the end of the 2025-26 season. Many of the team's longest tenured players are no longer on the roster.
The Grizzlies are entering a rebuilding era, but they're hoping the group is not starting from rock bottom. Many of the players who ended last season injured are now healthy. Memphis also added roster depth and No. 3 overall pick Cam Boozer in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Kleiman mentioned that recently acquired forward Micah Peavy "turned his ankle" ahead of training camp, meaning the Grizzlies won't get to see him play at the start of camp.
"Other than that, expecting
a very full level of participation for this camp," Kleiman said.
The Grizzlies begin training camp on Sept. 29 at Belmont University in Nashville before their first preseason game on Oct. 5.
Here are five takeaways from Kleiman's comments on the Grizzlies roster.
Ja Morant trade explanation
Kleiman spoke for the first time since the Grizzlies traded Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers. Regarding trading Morant, Kleiman mentioned how the Grizzlies had to "choose a lane."
Based on Kleiman's comments, the Grizzlies felt that Morant wasn't a piece they could take into the next era. Memphis will now turn the page with Scotty Pippen Jr. and Ty Jerome among the players competing for minutes at starting point guard.
"I think I was pretty clear, pretty upfront of what could be coming transactionally there," Kleiman said. "Wish Ja nothing but the best. I think he's going to do well in Portland."
Zach Edey injury update
Zach Edey is considered one of the most important players on the Grizzlies. He's entering his third season and already has had two ankle surgeries, including one that limited him to 15 games last season.
All things are progressing well for Edey, according to Kleiman. He has been fully cleared for basketball activities, meaning he should be a full participant in practices throughout training camp.
The Grizzlies haven't decided, but there is a chance Edey is limited through the preseason for precautionary measures. All in all, his progress seems to be encouraging.
"We'll be smart with him as we get through this week of technical training camp and get into the preseason," Kleiman said.
"I wouldn't react overly to that if we decided to be a little more conservative there, but we'll be smart." he later added. "We'll take it a day at a time, but he's doing well in where he should be as of today."
Cam Boozer expectations
Boozer is entering Memphis with high expectations, and the Grizzlies have no plans of putting a ceiling on what he can accomplish. When Memphis drafted Boozer, Kleiman noted how the power forward was the player Memphis wanted. Everything Kleiman continues to say indicates just that.
"I expect as he always has, he'll find a way to make even more of an impact than people expect of him," Kleiman said. "... Not going to put him in a box. Not going to say anything certainly that he won't be able to do. Can't wait to see him out there."
Memphis Grizzlies outlook
Kleiman was clear in his messaging that this is the beginning of a rebuild, but the Grizzlies are not taking a methodical approach. They want to establish an identity and surround the young core with players who are going to be able to contribute.
When asked about team expectations, Kleiman stopped short of specifically stating goals of making the playoffs or even reaching the play-in tournament. Still, the Grizzlies seem encouraged that their rebuild won't lead to the kind of ugly start that many teams endure in their first season.
"We're going to go out and try to win every single game that we can," Kleiman said. "Hopefully we look up at the end of the day and that leads to a better season than people expect from us."
Richie Saunders status
The Grizzlies drafted Richie Saunders No. 32 overall in the NBA draft, but he remains unsigned. Since the team has a current roster crunch and Saunders is recovering an ACL injury, his situation will play out longer than the typical rookie drafted in his position.
As long as he remains unsigned, Saunders can't participate in Grizzlies practices. He'll likely begin the season with the G League Memphis Hustle as he continues to recover.
"It's wait and see in terms of what exactly his onboarding is going to look like," Kleiman said. "Richie is a player who we think is a strong identity fit with this group on and off the court."
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: What Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman said about Ja Morant, Cam Boozer at media day
