Memphis, Milwaukee and Indiana all face early-season turbulence, according to league personnel interviewed by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
Grizzlies
Rival front offices no longer view Ja Morant as the driving force that once pushed the Grizzlies into Western Conference contention. Scouts point to a sharp decline in his rim attacks: only 15.4 percent of his shots this season have come within three feet, down from nearly 40 percent as a rookie. Morant’s perimeter shooting has not filled the gap—he was 10-for-60 from beyond the arc before sustaining a calf injury.
Several evaluators believe Memphis will gauge trade interest, though league sources doubt the franchise will find significant value. “I do think they’ll move him,” a Western Conference scout told Bontemps.
Bucks
The Bucks’ offense remains heavily dependent on Giannis Antetokounmpo. With the two-time MVP on the court, Milwaukee posts an offensive rating of 123.5 points per 100 possessions; without him, that figure drops to 102, which would rank below the league’s worst unit. Antetokounmpo is expected to miss up to two weeks because of a groin strain, leaving head coach Doc Rivers with limited on-ball creation. Asked if the Bucks can tread water, one team executive replied, “Of course not.”
Pacers
The Pacers were projected to regress after losing Tyrese Haliburton for the season and seeing Myles Turner depart in free agency, but the slide has been steeper than anticipated. Indiana ranks last in offensive efficiency, next-to-last in net rating and is already dealing with additional injuries. The organization did reacquire its 2026 first-round pick from New Orleans in June, giving the front office flexibility to reset and potentially target an elite prospect next spring following last season’s Finals appearance.
Source: Hoops Wire
