Desmond Bane speaks out on Taylor Jenkins, revealing a deeper issue

Are general managers ignoring player input?

Last week, the Memphis Grizzlies made a stunning decision by firing head coach Taylor Jenkins. The timing was questionable—just 10 games left in the regular season—and the Grizzlies were comfortably positioned in the fifth seed in the Western Conference, with playoff aspirations.

After Memphis’ first game without Jenkins, a 127-134 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, reporters asked Desmond Bane about the coaching change and the team’s decision to part ways with their head coach so late in the season.

“It’s on us for sure. … Coach didn’t take any shots this season, and he didn’t play defense either.”

Jenkins’ unexpected dismissal came after a meeting with the front office on March 28, leaving the coach shocked. Jenkins had been with the Grizzlies for six seasons, maintaining a .538 win percentage and leading the team to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2021 to 2023.

Throughout the season, there were doubts about whether Memphis had truly established itself as a championship contender. The young team, which had previously struggled to define itself, had made strides and even reached the second seed in the West at one point. However, they failed to close out games against top teams, suffering losses to squads like the Cavaliers, Knicks, Thunder, and Lakers.

The Memphis Grizzlies players may not have supported the firing of Taylor Jenkins

Whether or not fans agree with Jenkins’ firing, the event sheds light on a larger issue affecting front offices across the league: a disconnect between management and players. Bane’s candid and emotional reaction showed that major decisions, especially those affecting the team’s dynamic, are often made without considering the players’ perspectives.

This issue isn’t isolated. Just under two months ago, Nico Harrison shocked the NBA by trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers on an unexpected Saturday night. The trade, arranged solely between Rob Pelinka and Harrison, caught everyone off guard—including Dončić, Kyrie Irving, Jason Kidd, and even Mark Cuban—who only learned of it when Shams Charania broke the news. Fans even wondered if Charania’s account had been hacked due to the unexpected nature of the deal.

Another case occurred at the trade deadline when rookie Dalton Knecht was sent to the Charlotte Hornets, only for the trade to fall through and return him to the Lakers. Knecht later admitted that the entire ordeal affected his mindset, making it harder for him to play freely.

Ultimately, the NBA operates much like other major sports leagues: as a business. Front offices focus on roster moves that maximize returns and align with ownership’s long-term goals. But when players consistently find themselves blindsided by decisions that influence their careers, trust begins to break down.

If this trend persists, more superstars might try to force their way out of teams, leaving fans and franchises scrambling for stability in a league that increasingly feels disconnected from the very people who drive its success.