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The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the favorites to make the playoffs with the way they're running their team recently. They made a late-season addition by signing rookie big man Jontay Porter to a multi-year deal.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the acquisition, a move that definitely raised more than a couple of eyebrows throughout Grizzlies Nation and the NBA. However, the team believes in him enough that they gave him a couple of years on his contract in order to build chemistry with Ja Morant and the rest of the team's young core.
Jontay Porter, a rookie F/C out of Missouri, has signed a multi-year deal with the Grizzlies, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. Porter rehabbed two separate knee injuries, but has progressed well and is expected to be ready for training camp next season.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 8, 2020
It's understandable that fans would have no idea the 6-foot-11, 240-pound big man was on their radar. He played only one year of college basketball at Missouri before walking away and declaring for the draft alongside his brother, Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. Unfortunately for him, he wasn't picked up by any team during the time as they were uncertain as to what they should do with him.
In his lone year in Mizzou, he averaged 9.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. His performances, combined with his good height and God-given gifts, should make him a viable addition to any team. However, his two knee injuries essentially robbed him of the opportunity to try and make the league. The fact that he played in the same university as his brother also hit his draft stock.
The Grizzlies may have found something about his game they believe will greatly benefit them for them to offer him a multi-year deal. Hopefully, he manages to recover in time so that he can catch Ja Morant lobs or become something akin to what his brother is providing for the Nuggets.
