Pera has not indicated any intention of moving the Grizzlies away from Memphis NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
This season "feels particularly dispiriting and aimless" for the Grizzlies, as the franchise "can’t effectively address any of its structural, leadership and personnel challenges" until Chair & Controlling Owner Robert Pera decides if he is keeping the team, according to Geoff Calkins of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. Minority Owners Steven Kaplan and Daniel Straus have each "triggered their right to try and buy the team under their buy/sell agreement with Pera," and there is now a "prevailing sense that Pera intends to buy out Kaplan and Straus." But "nobody knows for certain." This is a "difficult situation for everyone connected to the franchise because so much depends on it," including the future of the franchise in Memphis. It would be "naive" to think moving the team "isn't a threat." But Pera has "never indicated that he has the slightest intention of moving the team." Pera "may never come to games" and "may have failed in his duty to provide the franchise with visible basketball leadership." But sources said that keeping Pera is "preferable to the unknown." It would be "hard for any owner to move the Grizzlies" before '27, as the lease binds the team to Memphis through the end of the '20-21 season. That lease also has another "half dozen provisions that would make it hard to move the team" before '27 (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 3/31).
