Report: Ja Morant, Grizzlies Compared to 2024 Cavs by NBA Exec After Jenkins Firing

There is reportedly some belief within the NBA that the Memphis Grizzlies have the potential to take a huge step forward next season.

According to ESPN's Tim Bontemps, an anonymous NBA executive views the Grizzlies as being "reminiscent" of the Cleveland Cavaliers, who improved significantly from last season to this season.

The exec acknowledged that things will have to "break right," in order for that to happen, but the Grizzlies reportedly believe it is possible.

Last season, the Cavs went 48-34 and reached the playoffs for a second consecutive year, but they were knocked out in the second round. While the team made progress, the decision was still made to fire head coach J.B. Bickerstaff and replace him with Kenny Atkinson.

That move paid huge dividends, as the Cavaliers recorded the best record in the Eastern Conference and the second-best mark in the NBA this season at 64-18.

Remarkably, it didn't take many personnel changes to make the improvement happen, as Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, Jarrett Allen, Max Strus, Isaac Okoro and Georges Niang all returned.

The Grizzlies could find themselves in a similar situation, as the core of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells is under contract for next season.

A new voice on the sidelines could be what takes the team to the next level, and the Grizzlies have already gotten a head start on that.

Last month, Memphis shockingly fired head coach Taylor Jenkins despite the Grizzlies being in playoff position at the time. He was replaced on an interim basis by Tuomas Iisalo, who went 4-5 over the final five games of the regular season.

Memphis had to settle for a spot in the postseason play-in tournament as the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, and after losing to the Golden State Warriors in the No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in, they will face the Dallas Mavericks on Friday in a win-or-go-home game.

Regardless of what happens, the Grizzlies organization is likely already looking ahead to next season and what can be done to be the next version of the Cavs.

If this year's Cavaliers team is any indication, simply making the right coaching hire could go a long way toward making that happen.