In the aftermath of the Grizzlies’ unceremonious exit from the playoffs, Memphis general manager Zach Kleiman offered a bold stance on the team’s direction heading into next season.
The Grizzlies’ season ended on Friday in a 125–85 Game 6 loss to the Lakers, capping a first-round series that, at times, became overshadowed by a war of words fueled largely by the antics of guard Dillon Brooks. During his exit interview on Sunday, Kleiman addressed the bravado displayed by the team and particularly Brooks, prompting him to tell reporters that the team plans to take a “different approach” after encountering “self-created distractions” during the regular season and playoffs.
“There were definitely some self-created distractions in the series and along the way. We’re gonna take a different approach as it pertains to that next season,” Kleiman said.
Kleiman went on to say that, while the team encourages their players to be confident, the Grizzlies want to maintain a competitive balance in order to avoid future distractions.
“You’ll see a different approach from this team but at the same time, confidence is important,” he continued. “There’s nothing wrong with some level of trash-talking, we want a group that goes out there and competes. … But there’s a line there, certainly and I don’t think that’s lost on anyone here.”
While Kleiman focused solely on the team’s actions in his response, the Grizzlies GM was also asked a follow-up question regarding the role Brooks, who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, could play next season. However, Kleiman declined to address the matter out of respect for the 27-year-old’s pending trip to free agency.
“I’ll hit on DB another day, nothing I can comment on for now with him going into free agency,” Kleiman said.
Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman on Memphis’s maturity issues and the future of Dillon Brooks. pic.twitter.com/l1UTaeoOiE
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) April 30, 2023
After earning the No. 2 seed in the West following a 51–31 campaign, the Grizzlies’ disappointing end to the 2022–23 season will surely be a talking point heading into the summer. And thanks to the on-court reputation he’s earned over the last couple of seasons, Brooks’s standing with the franchise figures to be a storyline worth watching as the NBA’s second-youngest team evaluates its roster.
Coincidentally, Kleiman’s comments came on the same day that the NBA fined Brooks $25,000 for skipping media sessions following Games 3, 4 and 6. The fine also coincided with Brooks’ exit interview with reporters, where he said he didn’t regret the fiery comments he made toward LeBron James throughout the series.
“I’m just gonna continue to be me and get better at what I do,” Brooks said Sunday.
