Memphis Grizzlies Waive Guards Kira Lewis Jr. and Yuri Collins
By Tara West · Sharper Points AI Desk · Edited by Jordan HawkesPublished On September 26, 2026, the Memphis Grizzlies trimmed their roster by placing guards Kira Lewis Jr. and Yuri Collins on waivers. Roster moves at this stage of the calendar frequently provoke claims of strategic realignment or cap maneuverings. However, evaluating these cuts strictly against Memphis's recent statistical record reveals a team coming off a severely challenged stretch, where minor backcourt transactions do little to mask broader performance trends.
The Verified Moves
The transaction ledger provides two specific, explicit updates on September 26, 2026. The Memphis Grizzlies officially waived guard Kira Lewis Jr. and waived guard Yuri Collins. Both actions are categorized as waiver transactions in the official movement log.
It is vital to separate these reported facts from any broader commentary. The status changes are verified administrative facts: Kira Lewis Jr. and Yuri Collins are no longer on the active Memphis roster. Any conclusions regarding why these moves occurred, what contract adjustments accompany them, or who might replace them fall outside the verified transaction record.
Roster Context and Recent Team Form
To understand the environment surrounding these roster updates, we must examine the Grizzlies' most recent 10-game performance sample, which ran from March 25, 2026, to April 12, 2026. During that span, Memphis struggled significantly, compiling a 1-9 record.
| Metric (10-Game Sample: Mar 25 - Apr 12, 2026) | Value |
|---|---|
| Record | 1-9 |
| Average Points Scored | 109.9 |
| Average Points Allowed | 131.2 |
| Average Offensive Rating | 108.0 |
| Average Defensive Rating | 128.6 |
| Average Effective Field Goal % | 0.528 |
| Average 3-Point % | 0.341 |
| Average Turnovers Per Game | 14.6 |
The numbers illustrate a team that faced significant structural deficits at both ends of the floor. Offensively, the Grizzlies produced an average offensive rating of 108.0, supported by an average effective field goal percentage of 0.528 and a 3-point percentage of 0.341, alongside 14.6 turnovers per game. However, defensive inefficiencies were far more pronounced: Memphis allowed an average of 131.2 points per game while generating an average defensive rating of 128.6.
Analytical Takeaways
Analysis grounded strictly in the provided data suggests that releasing Kira Lewis Jr. and Yuri Collins is a straightforward trimming of the backcourt. What the data does not support, however, is any grand narrative about tactical overhauls or sudden turnarounds.
The available dataset includes no individual box scores, usage rates, or defensive metrics for Kira Lewis Jr. or Yuri Collins. Consequently, quantifying their direct impact on the team's 108.0 offensive rating or 128.6 defensive rating during that 10-game stretch is impossible from the records provided. Furthermore, the data contains no information regarding salary cap implications, trade negotiations, or coaching staff rationale.
What the verified figures do show is that Memphis ended its late-season run with an average scoring margin of minus-21.3 points per game (109.9 points scored versus 131.2 points allowed). Subtracting two guards from the depth chart changes roster availability on paper, but without incoming production numbers or replacement data, the facts show only a roster reduction following a 1-9 stretch.
Sources
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