The Memphis Grizzlies likely can’t wait to put the 2025-26 disastrous campaign behind them. While the Grizzlies 2025-26 season didn’t go anywhere close to the way they probably foresaw, they will at least be in the NBA record books.
Memphis sits at 25-51 in coach Tuomas Iisalo’s first season and 11th in the Western Conference. Since January 1, the Grizzlies have posted the fourth-worst record in the NBA, losing 33 of their 43 contests with a -7.2 scoring margin. The Grizzlies have been decent offensively over this stretch, though they have been awful defensively, allowing nearly 122 points a game on 49.1% shooting from the field. Of course, injuries have been a major reason for the Griz’s struggles.
Grizzlies Match Inauspicious NBA Record With Final Roster Moves Of 2025-26
Memphis currently has six players ruled out for the season. Besides those six players, Cam Spencer and Ty Jerome have been ruled out for Memphis’ game against Toronto tonight. In addition, Taj Gibson (right foot) and Olivier Maxence-Prosper (low back) are considered doubtful for tonight, while Walter Clayton Jr. (hip) is questionable. Therefore, leaving the Griz with potentially seven healthy players.
However, Memphis added two more players earlier this morning via the NBA’s hardship waiver. The Grizzlies announced that they have signed Dariq Whitehead and Toby Okani to 10-day contracts. Whitehead and Okani become the Grizzlies’ 33rd players to join their active roster (15-man and 18-man), tying an NBA record for most players signed in a single season. Ironically, the Griz set the mark in 2015-16.
Whitehead and Okani are expected to be active tonight versus the Raptors. At least Whitehead projects to get some time over the Grizzlies’ last five contests. If either one appears in a game, the team’s total will increase to 32 or 33 players. Conversely, only 28 players saw action for the franchise in 2015-16.
Since Whitehead and Okani’s contracts don’t expire until April 13, Memphis likely is done making roster moves. Those two are essentially taking the roster spots of DeJon Jarreau and Tyler Burton. Jarreau and Burton’s second 10-day contracts expired on Wednesday.
Jarreau was productive, albeit inefficient, in his 11 appearances for the Grizzlies. He averaged 8.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists with shooting splits of 39.8/13.3/78.3. Meanwhile, Burton produced 10.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 25.6 minutes over 12 appearances.
What Do Dariq Whitehead and Toby Okani Bring to the Grizzlies?
Whitehead is back in the NBA after appearing in 22 games for the Brooklyn Nets (2023-2025). The 21-year-old wing, who was the No. 21 pick in 2023 by the Nets, has been plagued by injuries throughout his professional career. He has spent the entire season with Oklahoma City’s G League club, the OKC Blue.
Whitehead averaged 11.o points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists over 23 minutes in 34 appearances for the Blue this season. The 6-6 uber-athletic forward knocked down 2.0 threes a game, though he posted a shooting split of 36.6/29.0/76.0.
Besides his athleticism, Whitehead has an NBA body, which means a strong frame. Whitehead has clean shooting mechanics and has developed into a high-volume 3-point shooter, though he still needs to improve consistency from beyond the arc. However, he made 33 of 74 triples (44.6%) in his 20 appearances with the Nets during the 2024-25 season.
For Whitehead to stick in the league, he will have to show he can stay healthy. He also has to demonstrate that he can shoot at the NBA level consistently, play hard consistently, and be disciplined defensively.
Okani went undrafted in 2025 out of West Virginia and had to try out for the Westchester Knicks this fall. Okani, known for his defensive ability, averaged 6.4 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 40.4%, 29.4%, and 51.6%. He also produced two double-doubles in 47 games for Westchester.
Okani’s best attributes are his defensive versatility — with the ability to guard 2 through 4 positions — length, and high motor. Limited offensively due to a lack of shooting ability, Okani is more of a straight-line driver and transition finisher.
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