Is This the End for the Grizzlies? Analyst Drops Surprising Verdict That Shakes the Franchise’s Future

If you told me the Memphis Grizzlies were up by 29 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder on a Thursday night, I’d have bet my lunch money on a blowout win. Yet, somehow, that commanding lead evaporated like mist, turning into a 114-108 loss that now teeters them on the brink of a playoff sweep. It’s the kind of collapse that leaves you scratching your head — and, honestly, wondering if this team’s best days are behind them. Keith Smith’s blunt take on X nailed it: “They got good, but never got to great.” So here we are, standing at a crossroads with questions swirling around Ja Morant’s future, a coaching vacancy, and a roster that’s suddenly feeling very fragile. Does this chapter end with a pivot, a rebuild — or something altogether unexpected? One thing’s for sure… the Grizzlies can’t keep cruising on fumes if they want to keep playing in the big dance.

The Memphis Grizzlies were up by 29 points during their Thursday night game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

But after a historic collapse, they walked away with a 114-108 loss and are now just one game away from being swept out of the playoffs.

Following that stunning loss, Keith Smith didn’t pull any punches on X.

“The Grizzlies are done. And maybe not just for this season. This version of the team might be done too,” Smith wrote. “Good example of how things aren’t linear in the NBA. They got good, but never got to great. Lots of reasons for it, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Now, they’ll pivot.”

The Grizzlies are done. And maybe not just for this season. This version of the team might be done too.

Good example of how things aren’t linear in the NBA. They got good, but never got to great. Lots of reasons for it, but sometimes it just doesn’t happen. Now, they’ll pivot.

— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) April 25, 2025

It would be remarkable if the Grizzlies didn’t make massive changes in the summer.

There were already a lot of questions before this playoff run, but now those questions just got larger.

They recently fired their head coach, there have been serious concerns about their roster, and the Western Conference is only getting tougher.

So, it feels like it’s time for the Grizzlies to transform, but how?

Speculation has grown about Ja Morant and his future with the team.

Will the front office pursue trade offers for the young star, and will they ship away other talented players too?

And what about their head coach vacancy?

How will the Grizzlies fill that void and tweak the roster?

Even if the Grizzlies are able to get a few wins in the playoffs, people will still expect a lot of adjustments in the months ahead.

The Grizzlies enjoyed several seasons when they were one of the most exciting teams in the West, but they haven’t achieved what they wanted, and now they are at a crossroads.

Which direction will they take this summer?

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