With the 2021 NBA free agency set to begin, where do the Memphis Grizzlies — this young and voracious group — stand to go with their needs?
Already some dreamy options — San Antonio star veteran DeMar DeRozan and Los Angeles Clippers Swiss Army knife Nic Batum — have apparently expressed opinions to go elsewhere. Both would certainly be fun fits in this Grizzlies offense, but both seem to have other aspirations.
Memphis finished its 2020-21 campaign at 38-34 and in a first-round exit with the Utah Jazz after scintillating play-in wins against San Antonio and Golden State. To stay competitive, the Grizzlies must maintain an edge.
What can Memphis spend?
With the renouncing of forward Justise Winslow, the Memphis front office essentially created another $13 million in the immediate for some free-agent spending — bumping their cash up from $11 million to $24 million. It puts the Grizzlies well within the top five in the NBA in available spending power, but as CBS Sports scribe Sam Quinn notes — Memphis might not want to lock itself in to anything too long term.
Quinn writes:
“Even if they extend Jaren Jackson Jr. this offseason, the expiring contracts of Jonas Valanciunas, Kyle Anderson and Tyus Jones could give the Grizzlies significantly more cap space in 2022 as long as they don't make any major commitments this offseason. The 2022 class is not only stronger at the top than 2021, but has far more of the two-way wings the Grizzlies will likely seek out with their eventual space, so don't be surprised if Memphis sits out the frenzy this year so it can evaluate the players it currently has under contract before reconstructing the roster a year from now.”
Of course, JV got moved for the 2021 No. 10 draft pick, center Steven Adams, point guard Eric Bledsoe and the Lakers' protected first-rounder in 2022, and Bledsoe isn't expected to stick around on Beale Street. First-round signees in Stanford's Ziaire Williams and Loyola Maryland's Spaniard Santi Aldama, likely drafted to be stretch 4/5's, need to get paid, too.
What does Memphis need?
At 29 years old, Jonas Valanciunas was the oldest player on the team before being traded to the Pelicans — leaving one of the NBA's most-improved players in forward Kyle Anderson as the old man in the room (at a ripe age of 27). The Grizzlies have growing, mature leaders in guard and defensive guru Dillon Brooks, flame-throwing forward Jaren Jackson Jr. and electric point guard Ja Morant, but could likely use another arm or two that has deep playoff experience and conventional NBA wisdom.
And while the Grizzlies do seem ahead of schedule under the quickly-growing coach in Taylor Jenkins, there were some deficiencies in 2020-21 that could always be addressed. Memphis feasted on the fastbreak and in the paint, were among the league leaders in defensive deflections (and first in steals), and finished second in the league in offensive rebounding.
But 3-point shooting proved feast-or-famine, with the Grizzlies finishing 20th in 3-point percentage (.356). And even though attacking the rim was more the priority — taking the third-most twos and the second-most field goal attempts in the NBA — Memphis finished 20th in 2-point percentage (.525).
Efficient scoring, and a some perimeter defense, could go a long, long way in improving this squad from first-round darlings to deep runners.
New Orleans small forward Josh Hart (9.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 43.9 FG%, 32.6 3PT%)
The departure of JV in the trade to the Pelicans created a massive void in offensive and defensive rebounding that must be filled at some point for the Grizzlies. And while Hart is no center or power forward, he's elite on the glass for his size, and could bring a successful punch off the bench for this Grizzlies team.
New Orleans did just extend him a qualifying offer (worth $5.2 million) alongside point guard Lonzo Ball, as they try to keep their core of talent intact, but Hart could be looking for a better, more secure deal. Memphis wouldn't have to break the bank for him, either, as he's coming off of his rookie contract as a restricted free agent.
Detroit Pistons guard Hamidou Diallo (11.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 47.7 FG%, 34.1 3PT%)
After a really strong season in Motor City last year, the former University of Kentucky Wildcat is in the same boat as Hart — having been extended a qualifying offer this past weekend valued at $2.07 million.
The 23-year-old slasher averaged a career-best in nearly every statistical category and is only getting better, and could be another athletic slasher to help the Grizzlies continue its attacking ways.
Philadelphia 76ers guard Furkan Korkmaz (9.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 40.1 FG%, 37.5 3PT%)
Memphis has gotten an up-close-and-personal look at Korkmaz more than once, as the “Turkish Delight” has torched the Grizzlies defense time and again.
But the unrestricted free agent is 24 years old, has great size (6-7), and can absolutely stroke it from deep — shooting 37.7% for his career so far in the NBA. He's effective and could spell someone like Brooks and/or Grayson Allen for 20-to-25 minutes a game, playing catch-and-shoot with both Morant and backup point guard Tyus Jones.
More importantly, he's affordable — and wouldn't crack the Grizzlies' future gold mine.
Chicago Bulls center Daniel Theis (9.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 54.1 FG%, 32.2 3PT%)
Steven Adams is the center for the foreseeable future in Memphis, but he's going to need some backup. The Grizzlies can go smaller if they wish, and it works well in particular situations, but the Germany native would bring size, spacing and defensive acumen at a healthy price.
The Athletic's John Hollinger labeled the former Boston Celtics budding talent his 20th-best available free agent — based on production and price, and for some other critical reasons.
If the Grizzlies are, indeed, trying to stash up for the 2022 off-season bonanza that apparently is going to happen, Theis would be a terrific option.
Denver Nuggets power forward Paul Millsap (9.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 47.6 FG%, 34.3 3PT%)
Millsap isn't his young self these days — averaging just 20.8 minutes in 56 games for the Nuggets last season — but there's still some air left in those tires that could be valuable for the Grizzlies.
He's the crafty veteran who 1) doesn't need starting time, 2) doesn't need his next big paycheck and 3) has long been praised as a locker-room boon across the league. What better way to groom guys like Killian Tillie, Xavier Tillman, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke and a pair of freshly-minted draft picks with a marriage in Millsap?
He can still produce at a high level in limited action, and he's experienced deep, deep runs in the playoffs.
Bonus targets:
- Phoenix Suns point guard Cameron Payne: The former Murray State Racer is a Memphis native, and it would be cool to see him team up with another former Racer in Morant. But Payne has revived his career underneath Monty Williams, and proved as a key asset to a Suns team that nearly won the 2021 crown. He likely stays in Phoenix.
- Charlotte Hornets guard Malik Monk: The former Kentucky Wildcat certainly had a strong season with Charlotte — the best in his early career — and his ability to stretch the floor would be quite useful for this team, after shooting north of 40% from three in 2020-21. The Hornets did not extend a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.
- Atlanta Hawks point guard Lou Williams: The three-time “Sixth Man of the Year” is reportedly being sought by the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta, but would be a ridiculous offensive acquisition for the Grizzlies. He'd likely come at a price, but one Memphis could afford for a season or two before turning to its younger, developing core in crunch-time situations. Williams has thrived in the playoffs, and would pack a punch other teams would have to account for on the scouting report.
- Portland Blazers forward Carmelo Anthony: Reports are already circulating that Anthony is “quite interested” in teaming up with LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers for a deep run and shot at a title together. But crazier things have happened, and Melo has a deep respect for Morant and company. The two have had some fierce battles already, particularly in the 2020 NBA bubble, but Melo did appear in Morant's documentary extensively. Anthony would provide a scoring punch and veteran presence the Grizzlies currently need, and Memphis possesses some of the youngest legs in the entire league.
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