Putting a bow on a disappointing Grizzlies season, and what comes next?

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - A once promising Grizzlies season comes to an unceremonious end after a first round sweep at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

At exit interviews Sunday, GM Zach Kleiman made his feelings very clear immediately.

“Disappointing season, a lot to sort through here,” said Kleiman as he sat down. “48 wins, good for an eight-seed, but who cares?

“It’s not good enough, there’s a lot to unpack.”

Even after a late season slide that saw they Grizzlies go from second in the West to eighth, they might’ve had a chance to make their series with the Thunder interesting if not for Ja Morant’s hip injury in game 3-the last of multiple injuries this season that caused the franchise centerpiece to miss 38 of the Grizzlies’ 87 games, including the playoffs.

“Obviously injuries, that’s frustrating, not being on the floor is frustrating,” said Morant of how he felt about his season. “Losing games is frustrating, but I try to find the positives in everything.”

There are big questions to be answered this offseason. First, will it be Tuomas Iisalo or an outsider as the next head coach?

“Have not made any decisions on the coaching front at this point,” Kleiman said Sunday. “Gonna digest everything coming out of the season.”

Probably just as important, depending on if he’s named All-NBA, will Jaren Jackson Jr. sign an extension? Or wait until next summer when he hits free agency?

Jackson Jr. was asked Sunday if staying in Memphis was a priority for him.

“Would I say that? Of course, I love this place,” said Jackson Jr. “I mean this is where I live, this is my home.”

After the 2022 season, the Grizzlies were the hottest young team on the rise in the NBA, seemingly destined for championship contention.

In the three years since, they’ve won two playoff games. Something has to give this offseason.

“I don’t think we can look back at this season and series and say we’re close,” Kleiman said. “No, we’re not! We’re not close, there’s a lot of work to be done, I need to be open-minded on multiple respects.”

An interesting few months undoubtedly awaits for the Beale Street Bears.

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