Already this summer, the Memphis Grizzlies have seen substantial changes, particularly on the coaching staff.
Kelly Iko of The Athletic reported last week that the company has let go of “several assistant coaches.” Despite this uncertainty, the only name that appears to be safe on the sidelines is head coach Taylor Jenkins, who is entering his sixth season in charge.
However, the 2024-25 season may put a lot of pressure on the 39-year-old to perform, as Iko’s cohort and former Grizzlies Vice President of Basketball Operations, John Hollinger, recently reported that sources have informed him that he may be inching ever so close to the dreaded “hot-seat.”
Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins could be on the ‘hot-seat’ in 2024-25
“Jenkins comes off a 27-win season marred by numerous injuries. He’s mainly had success in Memphis, finishing second in the 2022 Coach of the Year voting, but the Grizzlies have experienced some upheaval since then. More importantly, Memphis sacked the majority of his assistant coaches soon before the combine, which is always a sign that the head coach isn’t in a good position.”
Without a doubt, 2023-24 was one of the Grizzlies’ worst seasons in recent memory, as they finished with the seventh-worst record in the league (27-55), missing the playoffs for the first time in four years.
However, as Hollinger alluded to, injuries proved to be the most significant factor in the club’s misfortunes this season, forcing Jenkins to work with a group of talent that resembled a M.A.S.H squad rather than an actual NBA roster.
The previous two seasons, the head coach guided the Grizzlies to 107 regular-season wins, consecutive Southwest Division titles, and their first semifinal trip in nearly a decade, in 2021-22.
Spoke with @memgrizz coach Taylor Jenkins at practice today coming off his 200th career victory.
As Grizzlies push to the finish line of an extremely difficult season, Jenkins working to make progress.
He and the team deserved a moment to embrace their collective milestone: https://t.co/FYig72IMz5 pic.twitter.com/FynzrfuyYN
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) March 6, 2024
Throughout his tenure, Jenkins has proven to be not only one of the league’s elite coaches, but also one of the best the franchise has ever seen, with 206 total wins to his credit, following just Lionel Hollins’ 214 in the race for the top spot.
Despite this, Hollinger’s sources believe the seasoned coach should be regarded one of three others throughout the league (Portland’s Chauncey Billups and New Orleans’ Willie Green) teetering on “hot seat” status heading into next season.
