Memphis Grizzlies extend qualifying offer to JaMychal Green

The Memphis Grizzlies have extended a $2.8M qualifying offer to JaMychal Green, making him a restricted free agent. What does this mean for the Grizz?

According to RealGM, the Memphis Grizzlies extended a $2.8M qualifying offer to free agent JaMychal Green. No, this doesn’t mean that he’s going to sign with the Grizzlies for $2.8M. Instead, it allows them to match any offer he receives and gives Green an offer if, for some random reason, an outside team doesn’t sign him.

What does this mean for the Memphis Grizzlies?

Harder for Grizz to keep Green

JaMychal Green being a restricted free agent puts the Memphis Grizzlies in a tricky situation. With Zach Randolph, Tony Allen and Vince Carter already on the market, they already have to lay out their priorities. Now, the NBA announced the salary cap to be set at $99M, three million dollars lower than expected. It affects many teams, but it hurts the Grizzlies more than others.

They already have $92M tied up with their roster, and they still need to sign draft-and-stash prospect Rade Zagorac. With a lower salary cap and his high asking price, it may be tough for the Grizzlies to keep JaMychal Green. Many project him to receive an annual salary between $12-16 million. Any of those offers will put the Grizzlies over the cap, making it harder to fill out the rest of their roster.

Next: JaMychal Green: To stay or to go?

JaMychal Green played a vital role in Fizdale’s pace-and-space offense, allowing the Grizzlies to truly transition from “Grit ‘n’ Grind.” With other impending free agents and needs to fill, Green’s future in Memphis is uncertain.