The Grizzlies’ rebuild trajectory is drawing comparisons from Taj Gibson, who sees similarities between this Memphis team and his past squads. The 17-year veteran joined Memphis in February, after they had already turned the page to rebuilding towards next season. When asked at the team’s exit interviews about whether he sees parallels between the Grizzlies and his previous team, the Charlotte Hornets, he had good things to say about the direction of the franchise.
“Each year, it was a down year, and each time, they turned it over. … We really worked hard. It was really tough. It’s really tougher on the days that you don’t win the games, and you know that you’re going downhill. And that’s when the test starts. That’s when you really get to see who’s really in it, who’s really going to fold. I try to tell the young guys now, [these are] the building steps. … A great coach always told me, in those times of great difficulties, you’ve got to circle the wagons. I feel like each team in my previous two years just went over that hump of figuring out who’s really in and who’s really going to work, and most guys turn it around.”
That perspective carries weight. Gibson has played on rebuilding teams whose trajectories changed the following season after his influence. Last season, he played with the 19-63 Hornets, who are now on the verge of making the playoffs from the Play-In Tournament. Before that, he played for the 14-win Detroit Pistons, who made a similar leap last season before taking the East by storm this year.
Now, he believes the Grizzlies’ rebuild could follow that same path. The same team that finished 4-21 after he signed this season. Gibson has seen this movie before, and he sees signs that Memphis is heading in the right direction.
Taj Gibson Sees Familiar Path in the Grizzlies’ Rebuild Trajectory
A Pattern Gibson Has Seen Before
Gibson’s perspective on the Grizzlies’ rebuild is based on experience, which he has a lot of. Those Hornets and Pistons teams built habits and internal growth that eventually translated into wins. His experience with the Grizzlies more closely relates to his time with the Pistons in 2024.
That season, he signed with Detroit in March. What followed was a 5-16 finish to their 14-68 season. However, he mentioned the hard work he saw despite the losses piling up. He noted how he saw the same work ethic in Charlotte. Now, that same blueprint appears to be forming in Memphis.
The Grizzlies’ rebuild reflects a team figuring out its identity and putting in the work. Cedric Coward and Cam Spencer were players he specifically mentioned as hard workers, reminding him of his old Chicago Bulls teammates. He compared Coward to Jimmy Butler and Spencer to Kirk Hinrich.
Taj Gibson says Cedric Coward reminds him of a “young Jimmy (Butler).”
“Had the same haircut. So eager to play.”
And he’s also got a Bulls player comp for Cam Spencer: Kirk Hinrich. pic.twitter.com/pXCKJva9qx
— Jonah Dylan (@TheJonahDylan) April 13, 2026
Another key similarity for the team is the mix of youth and opportunity. Gibson has seen how young rosters can accelerate quickly once they gain confidence and consistency. The 25-57 Grizzlies have several players who are still developing, but showed flashes of high-level production. If those flashes become consistent, the timeline could speed up significantly.
Why Memphis Could Be Next
The most important part of the Grizzlies’ rebuild is not where the team is now. They have young, intriguing players and draft assets to improve fairly quickly. They also have a core of veterans who could help them transition to a new era.
The Pistons and Hornets didn’t make their jumps (from 14 and 19 wins, respectively) to 44 wins by accident. Their young cores matured, and their confidence grew. Memphis has the pieces to follow a similar path, aided in part by the versatility of their players.
Another factor is motivation. Their young guys appear ready to work even harder to avoid a similar fate in the future. That internal drive can turn close losses into wins. Gibson’s perspective is a reminder that progress doesn’t always show up in the standings immediately.
Sometimes, it shows up in the foundation being built behind the scenes. If that foundation holds, the Grizzlies may soon look like the teams Gibson has seen rise before.
© Brian Westerholt-Imagn Images
