The Memphis Grizzlies are tied for fourth in the competitive Western Conference with a 44-29 record. Memphis has had a successful season overall, but with just nine regular-season games left to play, ESPN's Shams Charania reports they have surprisingly decided to part ways with head coach Taylor Jenkins.
The bizarre timing leaves some to wonder if there is any additional news that we don't currently know about. However, the fact that they also fired assistant coaches Noah LaRoche and Patrick St. Andrews suggests that they could just be cleaning house. Assuming it was simply an odd basketball-related move, the Blazers should heavily pursue Jenkins this summer.
Taylor Jenkins would be an upgrade over Chauncey Billups
Chauncey Billups' future in Portland is uncertain. You could make a case to part ways, but you could also make a case to keep him around, given the way he's turned the Blazers' season around. Despite Portland's end-of-season play-in push, we still lean towards the former.
The Blazers need to bring in a more experienced head coach who can help take this young Portland team to the playoffs. Bringing Jenkins in would provide that experience. He had an overall record of 250-214 in Memphis, the most coaching wins in franchise history.
Jenkins would be a great fit because he's another defensive-minded coach who had the Grizzlies consistently buy in on that side of the ball. That will help maintain, if not strengthen, the Blazers' newfound identity led by Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara, and Deni Avdija.
Specifically, this move could help unlock Clingan, as Jaren Jackson Jr. won Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 under Jenkins. If Scoot Henderson ever reaches his All-Star level ceiling, he could also take on the role of Ja Morant in terms of playstyle as someone who attacks the paint at will.
Morant and Jackson are great, but the Grizzlies have succeeded despite having lost the superstar battle compared to other elite teams in the West, such as the Thunder, Nuggets, Lakers, Warriors, etc. That's the same challenge the Blazers are trying to overcome. They have a deep roster but need to add more star power.
There is a lot of overlap between the team the Grizzlies currently are and the team the Blazers are trying to become. There's no better way to get to that next level than by hiring that team's former coach.
It's possible Billups can eventually take Portland there. However, there are many more question marks and inconsistencies surrounding him than there are with Jenkins. It would be a notable upgrade on day one.