Memphis Grizzlies general manager and president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman wanted everyone in Don Poier Media Center to know the start of a new season has officially begun. In other words, last season's unexpected results are a thing of the past.

Most of the roster is back for the 2024-25 season. Rookie center Zach Edey is expected to be the only player in the rotation who wasn't on the roster last season.

The general feeling is that injuries limited last season's potential, and now, a healthy roster should return back to contention in the Western Conference.

Here are five takeaways from Kleiman during media day at FedExForum.

The championship core is in place

If there was any confusion about which players the Grizzlies are building around, Kleiman cleared the air. Kleiman identified Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. as the three core players who Memphis has built around this summer. Stabilizing an NBA core is the first step to building a championship roster, and Kleiman believes the Grizzlies have done that. Over the course of the offseason, Memphis prioritized strengthening the roster around the core. Now, it's time to see if those decisions will pay off.

"I think that's one of, if not the best three-man cores in the NBA," Kleiman said. "I firmly believe that. We've spent years trying to think about what are the type of players that fit best around them, and I think every year we have trended more and more in that direction."

Financial plan

It was somewhat of a surprise to see the Grizzlies stay below the luxury tax at the start of the season, but Memphis managed to do just that while adding more shooting and a potential starting center. Kleiman pointed to last February around the trade deadline as to when Memphis started to get a sense of direction.

"We were really beginning to focus on this year and how do we put this team in the best possible position to compete this year, in this best possible position to compete in years beyond," Kleiman said.

Injury updates

Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson will miss the start of the season. Williams will be reevaluated in four weeks after a stress reaction in his left shin. Jackson underwent surgery on Sept. 4 after breaking the fifth metatarsal in his right foot.

Kleiman also announced guard Cam Spencer is dealing with an ankle sprain. The injury is considered "moderate." His timeline is still unknown.

"A little bit shorter-handed than we'd like to be," Kleiman said. "... It's next man up. Down to the two-ways. We feel strongly about each of the three two-ways on the roster. They're guys who can potentially contribute."

Plan with open roster spots

The training camp roster has a small conundrum. Memphis has 20 players signed for training camp, but only 13 of those are on standard contracts. Per CBA rules, they'll need to add at least one more standard contract by the early part of the regular season.

"I think realistically, you'll see someone in the 14th spot before we start the regular season," Kleiman said. "Don't hold me to that. Not promising it. Over the course of training camp and preseason, we'll evaluate."

Belief in this roster

Now, that Memphis believes it has a quality core in place, how far can this group go? Kleiman acknowledged the strength of the Western Division as a whole, but he believes Memphis is firmly in that conversation.

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Takeaways from Memphis Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman's media day comments