Talk about a Friday news dump.
The Memphis Grizzlies announced on Friday that the organization has decided to fire their Head Coach, Taylor Jenkins. From the press release:
“I’m genuinely appreciative of Taylor’s contributions to this team and this city over the past six seasons,” said Grizzlies President and GM of Basketball Operations Zach Kleiman. “This was a difficult decision, given the consistent and tangible development of our players and overall success under Taylor’s leadership. I wish Taylor the very best going forward.”
Taylor Jenkins is the winningest coach in Memphis Grizzlies history with 250 victories across his almost six-year run with the franchise. He is credited with developing this roster, and getting it to heights unprecedented in Grizzlies history given the context of Memphis being among the NBA’s youngest teams the entirety of his tenure. The Grizzlies are 44-29, tied for the No. 4 seed in the tough Western Conference, ahead of a potentially season-defining stretch of games.
He was also the head coach of a team that is 8-11 since the All-Star Break, and whose record against Western Conference opponents is a paltry 26-20, three games behind the next worst records in the top-5 out west.
Why Fire Taylor Jenkins Now?
He was successful at times without healthy talent or consistent veteran leadership. His rotations were often confusing, and how players fit as he tweaked the offense (less pick and roll, more motion) was questioned more. This lack of stability and adaptability likely led to the perception that he had hit his ceiling as a head coach in Memphis.
And the roster of the Memphis Grizzlies is about to get even more locked in.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is getting a contract extension this offseason. The window for Memphis to contend for a title is now. With all that money tied up in three players — Jackson Jr., plus the already extended Desmond Bane and Ja Morant — the margins for error become a lot smaller. Memphis is no longer in the business of development.
They’re in the business of winning. And Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman (who, after firing the winningest coach in Memphis history nine games before the playoffs, is pretty clearly safe in his job) clearly felt that Taylor Jenkins could not get them to the next level.
What comes next? Perhaps a first-round exit in explosive fashion. But if you’ve followed the Grizzlies the last 20 games, that appeared likely anyway.
This decision wasn’t necessarily about this particular moment. While it may provide a spark in the short term, the goal will be to maximize the 2025-2026 Memphis Grizzlies.
And beyond.
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