The Athletic NBA Daily

Episode: Grizzlies and Blazers Season Preview
Date: September 8, 2025
Hosts: Dave DuFour, Keith Parrish (Grits and Grinds), Sean Highkin (Rose Garden Report)

Overview

This episode delivers a deep dive into the upcoming NBA seasons for the Memphis Grizzlies and Portland Trail Blazers, featuring expert analysis from team-focused reporters. The show explores major offseason changes, key player expectations, coaching philosophies, roster construction, trade rumors, and potential season outcomes for both franchises.

Memphis Grizzlies Season Preview

Grizzlies Recap & Major Offseason Changes

Key Segment: [02:24]–[09:03]

• The Grizzlies finished last season 48–34, securing the 8th seed and being swept by eventual champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder.
• Despite the early playoff exit, the team was as high as the 2nd seed after the trade deadline and had the 6th-best net rating in the league—top 10 in both offense and defense.
• A late-season collapse (and first-round sweep) overshadowed their strong metrics and resulted in the firing of head coach Taylor Jenkins.

Quote (Keith Parrish, 03:20):

"At the trade deadline, they were the two seed in the Western Conference… one of the only teams that finished top 10 in offensive and defensive rating. It's like the Celtics, the Thunder, the Cavs and the Grizzlies. But everyone's like, 'Grizzlies had a horrible year because you got embarrassed in the first round.'"

New Coaching Direction: Tuomas Iisalo

Key Segment: [04:17]–[06:45]

• Grizzlies promoted assistant Tuomas Iisalo to head coach without interviewing other candidates.
• Anticipated stylistic shifts:
  • More heavy screening by bigs, playing to Zach Edey's strengths, and a high-tempo, ball-pressure defense.
• However, Iisalo is described as a "mystery box" due to limited NBA track record; his EuroLeague background provides only partial insight.

Quote (Keith Parrish, 05:58):

"They obviously felt highly enough about him to hire him… But also a lot of this is just conjecture because I don't know much about what he's done. … I think they're going to do a lot of ball pressure stuff… But beyond that I don't, I don't really know."

The Desmond Bane Trade and Roster Implications

Key Segment: [07:05]–[08:25]

• The Grizzlies traded star guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic.
  • In return: multiple first-round picks, rookie Cedric Coward, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (KCP).
• Trade seen primarily as a swing for future upside rather than an immediate upgrade.
• Discussion around whether the trade was financially motivated or a strategic move for more draft assets and flexibility.

Quote (Keith Parrish, 08:25):

"There's a strong argument that it's not financially motivated… Why not take more bites at the apple in the draft, see if we can find a... rookie deal that maybe you find that transformative guy. You could even find the next Desmond Bane."

Most to Gain, Most to Lose: Grizzlies’ Key Players

Key Segment: [09:32]–[11:06]

• Zach Edey is viewed as the player with the most opportunity to step forward, especially after a solid rookie campaign, though his offensive skillset remains raw.
• KCP and Jalen Wells likely to have larger roles; but neither is expected to become a high-usage offensive engine.
• Team relies on All-Star returns from Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.

Quote (Keith Parrish, 09:53):

"The player that the Grizzlies want to step forward is Zach Edie… was not very polished offensively… but he's a solid screener, solid rebounder."

Ja Morant & Jaren Jackson Jr. – Leadership & Expectations

Key Segment: [11:06]–[13:56]

• Ja Morant
  • Goal: Play at least 60 games; that's considered “totally reasonable” and sufficient to anchor a playoff push.
  • Needs to regain All-Star form and maintain postseason availability.
• Jaren Jackson Jr.
  • Already an elite defender and per-minute scorer.
  • Needs to adapt to postseason double teams and pressure; passing and playmaking remain areas for improvement.
  • Concerns about fouling and rebounding are downplayed.

Quote (Keith Parrish, 12:14):

"Jaren creates winning basketball at an unbelievable level and I think the money paid to him is absolutely worth it... He's one of the best defenders in the NBA, who's also one of the best per minute scorers."

Who Could Be Traded?

Key Segment: [14:25]–[16:39]

• John Konchar is seen as an expendable trade chip due to his manageable salary.
• KCP is likely to remain for his dual on-court and leadership value, filling a locker-room void left by Bane.
• Other possible moves include younger players like Gigi Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. if they don't show progress.

Quote (Keith Parrish, 15:39):

"This team needs veteran leadership... Desmond Bain was the locker room leader, and there's a vacuum there... So I think they want KCP for both on court play and probably off court leadership."

What’s the Make-or-Break Factor?

Key Segment: [16:52]–[18:38]

• Ja Morant's health and return to top-end explosiveness are identified as the primary swing factor for Memphis.
• Health of Jaren Jackson Jr. (toe surgery) and Zach Edey (ankle surgery) are additional variables.

Quote (Keith Parrish, 17:05):

"The true variable is... just Ja Morant... if he could turn that dial up from 60 games to 72 games... that's the true swing factor. If Ja and Jaren are there [healthy], maybe the team can break back into the second round."

Grizzlies’ Season Outlook

Key Segment: [18:38]–[20:49]

• Most likely outcome: Grizzlies win mid-40s games and occupy a play-in spot.
• Unlikely to win a first-round playoff series; lack of elite top-end talent compared to Western Conference rivals.
• Depth and development across the roster offer some hope, especially if injuries strike other teams.

Quote (Keith Parrish, 19:39):

"I don't give them much of a chance in the first round... I don't think they're in that category. But maybe it all gels... if you surround Ja and Jaren with depth, maybe they can take advantage if another team has injuries."

Portland Trail Blazers Season Preview

Franchise-Altering Offseason: Ownership & Draft

Key Segment: [23:01]–[28:14]

• The Blazers were sold to NHL Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, ending the Paul Allen estate’s interim stewardship.
  • The sale is seen as the most consequential change, with the future of the arena (building new or renovating Moda Center) a major priority.
• Portland drafted Chinese center Young Hansen at pick 16.
  • The young big man, with tremendous size and skill ("Chinese Jokic" hype), generated international buzz in summer league.
  • His development is a potential franchise-shaping story, with both basketball and marketing benefits.

Quote (Sean Highkin, 25:31):

"If Young Hansen has... Mason Plumlee's career, he's the second best Chinese player ever. And if he actually is 'Chinese Jokic'... that just takes it to a different level."

Roster Building, Roles, and Intrigue

Key Segment: [33:23]–[36:27]

• New roster pieces: Drew Holiday acquired in the Simons trade; Denny Avdija and Tumani Kamara are set to take on larger roles at forward.
• Starting lineup projections: Scoot Henderson, Drew Holiday, Denny Avdija, Tumani Kamara, and Donovan Clingan.
• Major uncertainty remains—Jeremy Grant, Shaden Sharpe, and Matisse Thybulle could all compete for starting spots.

Quote (Sean Highkin, 35:03):

"If you make me decide right now who I think the opening night starters are going to be, I think it's going to be Scoot Henderson, Drew Holiday, Denny Abdia, Tomani Kamara, Donovan Clingan... If I were the one deciding, I would probably have it be those five."

Player Development: Expectations & Wild Cards

Key Segment: [36:27]–[40:37]

• Scoot Henderson:
  • Encouraging late-season performance after an up-and-down rookie year.
  • With Simons traded, the starting point guard job is his to grow into.
  • Evaluated as possibly not a franchise-level star, but clear improvement is evident.
• Veteran Guards:
  • Drew Holiday is still impactful, albeit in a more off-ball, defensive leadership role.
  • Damian Lillard's return is not seen as impactful for 2025–26 due to age and Achilles injury.

Quote (Sean Highkin, 37:57):

"Drew is more of a 3 and D, like a guy that plays off ball... him and Scoot together is actually a combination that makes a lot of sense... It's all there for [Scoot] if he continues to improve the way he did the second half of last year."

Trade Candidates & Roster Turnover

Key Segment: [40:37]–[45:06]

• The Blazers' main candidates for trades:
  • Jeremy Grant: Limited trade market due to contract and declining performance, but seen as a potential mid-season deadline move if value rebounds.
  • Robert Williams: Highly impactful when healthy, but repeated injuries have limited his trade value.
  • Other core young players (Scoot, Sharpe, Avdija, Kamara, Clingan, Hansen) are not expected to be moved.

Quote (Sean Highkin, 41:06):

"If there's a guy that I think they should trade, it would be Jeremy Grant. I just, I don't think he really makes a lot of sense on this team as it's currently constructed..."

What’s the Swing Factor?

Key Segment: [45:06]–[46:49]

• The development of Scoot Henderson and Shaden Sharpe is seen as the biggest potential swing.
  • Sharpe is considered the highest-upside player on the roster.
  • Consistency and health will determine if Portland can exceed expectations.

Quote (Sean Highkin, 45:17):

"I think it's the two young guards. I think it's Scoot Henderson and it's Shaden Sharp… If he can do that [put together a full season], then I think that changes a lot about their ceiling."

Blazers’ Season Outlook

Key Segment: [46:49]–[49:04]

• Most realistic outcome: Competing for the 10th seed in the Western Conference (play-in spot).
• The team is seen as likely better than the bottom four of the West; would need luck or misfortune for teams above them to sneak higher.
• The 2025–26 season is framed as one of high intrigue, progress, and gathering intel on young talent—not just wins and losses.

Quote (Sean Highkin, 46:55):

"I think they could get the 10th seed... there are four teams that I think they're pretty clearly better than… so I think the 9, 10 play-in range is probably the most comfortable ceiling I'd put on them right now."

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• [03:20] – Keith Parrish: “At the trade deadline, they were the two seed in the Western Conference...”
• [05:58] – Keith Parrish, on new coach Tuomas Iisalo: “I think they’re going to do a lot of ball pressure stuff... But beyond that I don’t really know.”
• [08:25] – Keith Parrish, on the Bane trade: “Why not take more bites at the apple in the draft, see if we can find a... transformative guy.”
• [12:14] – Keith Parrish: "Jaren creates winning basketball at an unbelievable level..."
• [15:39] – Keith Parrish: "This team needs veteran leadership... and there's a vacuum there."
• [17:05] – Keith Parrish, on what unlocks Memphis: “The true variable is... just Ja Morant...”
• [19:39] – Keith Parrish, playoff chances: “I don’t give them much of a chance in the first round...”
• [25:31] – Sean Highkin, on Young Hansen: "If Young Hansen has... Mason Plumlee's career, he's the second best Chinese player ever."
• [35:03] – Sean Highkin, Blazers' projected lineup: "If you make me decide right now who I think the opening night starters are going to be..."
• [37:57] – Sean Highkin, on Drew Holiday/Scoot: "Drew is more of a 3 and D... it's all there for [Scoot] if he continues to improve."
• [41:06] – Sean Highkin, on trade candidates: "If there's a guy that I think they should trade, it would be Jeremy Grant..."
• [45:17] – Sean Highkin, swing factor: "I think it's the two young guards. I think it's Scoot Henderson and it's Shaden Sharp..."
• [46:55] – Sean Highkin, season projection: "I think they could get the 10th seed..."

Final Takeaways

• Grizzlies: Entering a semi-rebuilding phase, Memphis deals with a new coaching regime and the departure of a core star. The season hinges on the development and health of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., as well as year-two leaps from young prospects. The team likely faces another play-in battle, with limited postseason upside.
• Blazers: Portland is in transition, with new ownership, key frontcourt rookies, and a commitment to developing its young core. Expect a season full of experimentation, trade speculation (especially Jeremy Grant), and significant fan and media attention focused on rising players like Scoot Henderson, Shaden Sharpe, and Young Hansen. Play-in is a best-case scenario, but the major goal is evaluating building blocks for the future.