On January 23, 2017, it was announced that the
Iowa Energy would not renew their hybrid affiliation deal with the Grizzlies, but be purchased by the
Minnesota Timberwolves to serve as their G-League affiliate beginning in the 2017–18 season. That same day, the Grizzlies announced that they would be purchasing an expansion team "for the Mid-South" to begin play in 2017–18 in Southaven, Mississippi, about sixteen miles from Downtown Memphis and the
FedExForum, across the Tennessee-Mississippi border. On May 30, 2017, it was announced that
Glynn Cyprien would be the head coach and Chris Makris the general manager of the team. On June 1, 2017, the
Memphis Grizzlies unveiled their new NBA Development League affiliate team name and logo as the Memphis Hustle. ==Season by season==