Four-time NBA champion Horace Grant recently opened up about his nephew, Jerami Grant, and his outlook heading into the upcoming NBA season.
Jerami was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the Ja Morant trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. Horace spoke about his nephew's new team and how he will fit into the franchise's plan.
"Yeah, (he's excited)...they picked up (Cam) Boozer," said Horace via ActionNetworkHQ. "They've got Scotty Pippen Jr. there coming off injury. I think he's going to be solid for them. They've got a nice little team," he added.
New EraGrant was traded to the Grizzlies on June 29, and the franchise didn't indicate whether he would remain with the team or be traded later on. However, on Aug. 5, reports indicated that the franchise had no plans to trade him.
The 6-foot-7 forward was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round with the 39th pick in 2014. He played two full seasons in Philadelphia before the Oklahoma City Thunder traded for him during the 2016-17 season.
Grant played two seasons with the Thunder before playing with the Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Portland. In 2023, he signed a five-year, $160 million contract extension to remain with the Blazers because Chauncey Billups was the head coach and the team had a young roster.
Billups is currently suspended and on indefinite leave amid an ongoing legal investigation, with his trial scheduled to begin Nov. 2.
Memphis RebuildGrizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo will be at the helm for his second full season. His overall coaching record with Memphis is 29-62. However, he did inherit a team from former coach Taylor Jenkins toward the end of the season in 2025.
Memphis will begin the 2026-27 season without any of the former era, and forward Cameron Boozer is the new face of the franchise. As the organization rebuilds, he will continue to build the franchise's culture.
The Grizzlies have been projected to finish 31-51 this season. Their progress will depend heavily on contributions from their young players and center Zach Edey taking another step while remaining healthy.
Although the Grizzlies are rebuilding, expectations this season will center on youth development, physical toughness, and growing pains under Iisalo.
The team's front office has emphasized the importance of building a physically and mentally tough identity with positional versatility.
On Oct. 21, Memphis will host the Utah Jazz, welcoming back former forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who was traded in February 2026. The matchup will mark the beginning of the Boozer era in Memphis.
Despite being in a rebuild, the expected starting lineup could feature guard Ty Jerome, guard Jaylen Wells, forward Cedric Coward, Boozer and center Edey.
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