The Memphis Grizzlies signed former backup point guard Mario Chalmers. What does this mean for the Grizz – and more importantly, the young guards?
After staying quiet for a little over a week, the Memphis Grizzlies made a sneaky move by bringing back Mario Chalmers. The former backup point guard missed the entire 2016-2017 season with a ruptured achilles. However, when he was on the Grizzlies, he was a huge lift in the second unit.
In the 2015-2016 season, he averaged 10.8 points, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals. He also provided Grizz Nation with plenty of memorable clutch moments.
They’re surely glad that he’s back.
Twitter Reaction
MARIO CHALMERS IS COMING BACK TO MEMPHIS THIS IS NOT A DRILL pic.twitter.com/aJceVddgLi
— Made in Memphis (@MadeinMemphis1) July 19, 2017
https://twitter.com/MarcusGronauer/status/887461493398228992
HE'S BACK!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️@mchalmers15 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/lEXfkJAhUr
— Pattra Womack (@PattraWomack) July 18, 2017
Best starter-backup duo of this generation is getting back together pic.twitter.com/gdnDRN1nQX
— eric (@EricTweetsNBA) July 19, 2017
Even in the excitement, realism set in:
I need to see Mario Chalmers walk let alone play basketball before I can be moved by Chalmers possibly signing
— Anthony Sain (@SainAsylum) July 18, 2017
Analysis
This signing could be great, but there are many ways in which it could be a disaster.
Let’s start with the good side of it.
Fizdale has stressed how much he wants to use Conley off the ball. In the 2015-16 season, Chalmers and Conley were one of the best two point guard duos in basketball. When the two were on the court together, they outscored opponents by 19.1 points per 100 possessions. In addition, they scored an impressive 121.6 points per 100 possessions, only a point behind the duo of Curry and Livingston.
Last year, the Grizzlies lacked a true playmaker outside of Conley – especially with the injury issues with Parsons. Now, they have Tyreke Evans and Mario Chalmers to relive pressure off Conley.
However, there are consequences to this deal.
Chalmers is a 30-year old point guard coming off a major achilles injury. He hasn’t played NBA basketball in over a year. How much quickness and explosiveness did he lose? Can he even keep up with NBA point guards?
In addition, the Grizzlies have two young point guards. They used last year’s 1st-round pick on one in Wade Baldwin. Granted, both of them haven’t impressed many people. However, giving up on them right now is complete nonsense. Why would you want to squander young guards with potential for a 30-year old coming off a ruptured achilles?
More from Grizzlies Free Agency
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- Recent grade of Grizzlies free agency misses bigger picture
- 3 way too early 2024 free agent targets Grizzlies must consider
Right now, the Grizzlies have a glut of guards and still have JaMychal Green, Dillon Brooks and Ivan Rabb to sign. Who would they look to trade or release? Would one of those players be Baldwin or
Harrison?
Closing Remarks
Mario Chalmers is only on a partially-guaranteed contract, meaning his contract can be released without them owing him the full money. If he doesn’t look good at training camp, he might not make the roster. If he shows that he’s capable of being a backup point guard, it might spell trouble for the young guards.