Last Updated on May 24, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Memphis Grizzlies have featured several outstanding playmakers throughout both the Vancouver and Memphis eras. From elite floor generals to versatile point-forwards, the franchise’s best passers combined court vision, tempo control, creativity, and leadership to elevate the Grizzlies’ offense across multiple generations.

1. Mike Conley

Position: Point Guard
Years with Grizzlies: 2007–2019
Grizzlies Assists: 4,509 (franchise record)

Achievements:

  • NBA Sportsmanship Award winner
  • One of the greatest players in franchise history
  • Leader of the “Grit and Grind” era
  • Multiple deep playoff runs

Mike Conley is the greatest passer in Grizzlies history. He controlled Memphis’ offense for more than a decade with patience, precision, and elite pick-and-roll playmaking. Conley’s chemistry with Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph helped define one of the NBA’s toughest and smartest teams during the 2010s. He remains the franchise’s all-time assists leader by a wide margin.

2. Marc Gasol

Position: Center
Years with Grizzlies: 2008–2019
Grizzlies Assists: 3,026

Achievements:

  • NBA Defensive Player of the Year
  • 3× NBA All-Star with Memphis
  • NBA champion
  • One of the best passing centers ever

Marc Gasol transformed the center position with his playmaking ability. Operating from the high post and elbows, Gasol consistently dissected defenses with backdoor passes and quick reads. His passing IQ became a central part of Memphis’ offensive identity during the franchise’s most successful era.

3. Ja Morant

Position: Point Guard
Years with Grizzlies: 2019–present
Grizzlies Assists: 2,700+

Achievements:

  • NBA Rookie of the Year
  • NBA Most Improved Player
  • Multiple NBA All-Star selections
  • One of the league’s most explosive guards

Ja Morant brought a completely different style of playmaking to Memphis. His speed, athleticism, and ability to collapse defenses create constant opportunities for teammates. Morant thrives in transition and excels at drive-and-kick passing, making him one of the NBA’s most dynamic offensive creators.

4. Mike Bibby

Position: Point Guard
Years with Grizzlies: 1998–2001
Grizzlies Assists: 2,544

Achievements:

  • One of the top young guards of the early 2000s
  • Key player during the Vancouver-to-Memphis transition era
  • Strong pick-and-roll playmaker

Mike Bibby was the franchise’s first elite young point guard. Even during difficult early years for the organization, Bibby consistently produced high assist totals while controlling the offense with maturity and composure beyond his age.

5. Jason Williams

Position: Point Guard
Years with Grizzlies: 2001–2005
Grizzlies Assists: 2,069

Achievements:

  • One of the NBA’s most creative passers ever
  • Helped lead Memphis to its first playoff appearances
  • Famous for flashy transition passing

“White Chocolate” brought excitement and creativity to Memphis basketball. Jason Williams delivered some of the most memorable passes in NBA history and helped energize the franchise after its move from Vancouver. His flashy style made the Grizzlies far more entertaining and competitive during the early 2000s.

Honorable Mentions

  • Tony Allen
  • Tyus Jones
  • Kyle Lowry
  • Brevin Knight
  • Desmond Bane

Final Thoughts

The Grizzlies’ greatest passer remains Mike Conley, whose leadership and consistency defined the most successful era in franchise history. Marc Gasol redefined passing from the center position, while Ja Morant introduced a faster and more explosive style of playmaking. Mike Bibby and Jason Williams also played major roles in shaping the franchise’s offensive identity across different eras.

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