NBA Free Agency does not begin until July 1st, but the Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks wants to let LeBron James know he is welcome to join the team.
On a Sunday morning, a typical person would still be sleeping on their weekend. However, the Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks is different. By 8:43 PM Central Time, the small forward was recruiting LeBron James to Memphis, Tennessee.
NBA teams cannot officially contact free-agent players until the clock strikes midnight to begin the month of July. The moratorium period is set for July 1st through 6th. On July 6th, verbal agreements can transition into signed contracts for the 2018-19 season.
As for Dillon Brooks’ premature ploy to lure LeBron to Memphis, it was rather clever and yet so simple. Could it work?
Brooks, a stellar rookie that has told Beale Street Bears that he once attened a youth camp hosted by LeBron James, was direct in his request. The four-word hashtag also has significance — popular Memphis-related lyrics from a new song performed by Drake, a good friend of James’ — and is oh so fitting for the circumstance.
Come to Memphis @kingjames#ShelbyDriveLookAlive
— Dillon Brooks (@dillonbrooks24) June 10, 2018
If there was mutual interest between the Memphis Grizzlies and LeBron James, General Manager Chris Wallace and company would need to take a page out of the Miami Heat’s playbook. Pat Riley, Miami’s smooth operator of forming the trio of James, Chris Bosh, and Dwyane Wade in South Beach, was very cunning with decision-making. It was an entire overhaul of the roster that formed the beginning of a short dynasty. After seeing the Heat turn things around so quickly in one offseason, it certainly could happen if all dominoes fell in the correct order.
First off, the Grizzlies would absolutely have to dump the contract of Chandler Parsons. This initial step would be extremely difficult because Memphis could not accept much in return. Plus, what team would take on a $24+ million contract for two years when the player has only played a combined total of 70 games in the past two seasons?
Center Marc Gasol and point guard Mike Conley would be perfect complementary players for LeBron James, a small forward that can honestly play any and all positions. To round out the starting five, JaMychal Green likely would have to be dealt. If Jarell Martin was retained, he could own the starting power forward position after proving his worth in the latter portion of the 2017-18 regular season. Dillon Brooks could be a viable option at the shooting guard position, though he is naturally a small forward. To complete the roster, stars would not be had. However, just as the case for LeBron with the Miami Heat, a plethora of quality role players want to play with James. They are willing to sacrifice bigger paychecks for a chance to contend for an NBA World Championship.
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Memphis is a major step ahead when comparing the Grizzlies to the Miami Heat in the summer of 2010. They already have two components — Gasol and Conley — for a creation of a three-headed monster. Even so, it may still take convincing LeBron James to take less money in order to sign on the dotted line with Memphis. Would he do this, especially in a city that is not within a large market and free of sandy beaches? Scenery definitely played a major role in LeBron James’ “The Decision” in 2010.
When an all-time great player such as LeBron James hits NBA Free Agency, you must at least show interest or place an inquiry. It may be next to impossible, but regardless, it is worth a shot. LeBron is incredibly intelligent and he will surely analyze each and every possible situation. How will King James fit financially? What does the system look like? Market size? Coaching style? Supporting cast? All of these aspects will be taken into consideration by LeBron James in order to decide which uniform to don in 2018-19 and beyond.
For now, it is great to see Dillon Brooks stepping up to the plate and being very direct with LeBron on social media. Hey ‘Bron, come to the 901. Who knows, it may very well be the best trio involving James that basketball has witnessed. Additionally, it has been said many times that it would be nice to see him play with an elite two-way, pass-first point guard. Besides a quality PG, the best true center he has had as a teammate was Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Marc Gasol and Mike Conley may sound pretty enticing after all.
Go Grizz!