Memphis Grizzlies stock up, stock down

A first-round playoff exit at the hands of the Los Angeles Lakers ensured the Memphis Grizzlies had a season to forget. The team dealt with multiple problems, most notably star guard Ja Morant's suspension and Steven Adams' absence for more than half the season because of injuries.

Here are four Grizzlies whose stock is either rising or falling:

Stock Up 

Tyus Jones, guard: There aren't many better backup point guards in the NBA than Jones. A playmaker with a strong ability to read defenses, the veteran guard is a reliable presence when running the point. In 80 regular-season games, Jones averaged 10.3 points, 5.2 assists and 2.5 rebounds and made 49.5% of his shots from two-point range and 37.1% from deep.

Jones proved capable of operating as a lead guard, performing admirably during Morant's absence. At 27 years old, Jones has developed a reputation as a cool-headed guard who can get you buckets in a pinch. As such, the Grizzlies could find themselves fighting to keep Jones when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2024. 

With Morant probably facing another suspension to begin next season, Jones will likely complete the final year of his deal with Memphis even though it could get a solid return on him in the trade market. 

Xavier Tillman, center: Similarly to Jones, Tillman found himself playing a larger role than expected for the Grizzlies. Following Adams' injury, head coach Taylor Jenkins turned to the third-year big man as a starter. Tillman ended the season with a career-high 29 regular-season starts. In the postseason, he started all six of Memphis' games.

As a former second-round pick, Tillman is clearly exceeding his pre-draft expectations. While the former Michigan State player isn't going to be pushing for Adams' starting spot anytime soon, he has earned his place in the rotation. 

The Grizzlies have a team option on Tillman's contract that could keep him in Memphis next season, but he can expect a significant raise on his current $1.9 million salary. 

Stock Down

Ja Morant, guard: He might have all the talent in the world, but Morant can't seem to get out of his own way. The NBA suspended him for eight games after a video of him holding a gun in a Denver club surfaced in March. He was back in the news again recently for another gun-related issue. Now, the NBA is likely to bring the hammer down on the athletic ball-handler. Per commissioner Adam Silver, word will come down after the NBA Finals.

Unfortunately, it's that off-court drama that has seen Morant's stock around the league begin to trend in the wrong direction. There are concerns regarding the company the Grizzlies star keeps and his commitment to being a role model. 

There's next to no chance that the Grizzlies will cut ties with Morant any time soon, but the 23-year-old clearly is on thin ice with the league and his team.

Dillon Brooks, forward: Brooks emerged as the NBA's chief provocateur, much to the chagrin of NBA fans around the globe. Unfortunately for Brooks, it would appear the front office has also grown tired of his antics. On May 2, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that following Memphis' elimination from the playoffs, Brooks was informed he would not be returning to the team next season under any circumstances.

Now, Brooks will be in an unfavorable position of having to find another team to play for, despite the fact his antics have likely alienated him in locker rooms around the league. Still, Brooks was a valuable member of the rotation this season, averaging 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in 73 starts. 

So, while Brooks isn't one to have many fans within the league, he probably will have suitors. Memphis will not be one of those teams.