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Memphis Grizzlies: An NBA Free Agency Primer

By Justin Lewis

MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 15: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Tyreke Evans #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies on January 15, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 15: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Tyreke Evans #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies on January 15, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – JANUARY 12: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies at Pepsi Center on January 12, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – JANUARY 12: Will Barton #5 of the Denver Nuggets drives against Dillon Brooks #24 of the Memphis Grizzlies at Pepsi Center on January 12, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /

Will Barton

Will “The Thrill” Barton should be target numero uno for Chris Wallace and the Memphis Grizzlies in Free Agency this season.  Barton will be targeted by many teams after guys like Trevor Ariza and J.J. Redick are in their new homes.

The Grizz would have to use every dime of their Mid-Level Exception (MLE), which is around $8 million. Most people would be demanding that Tyreke should be the one getting the MLE, but Barton is younger and plays better defense.

He scored nearly 16 points per game last season and has improved each year in the league. Barton was on The Jason and John Show on 92.9 ESPN Memphis today and it sounds like he would certainly be open to a return to Memphis:

"“Playing in that FedExForum every night, sellouts, it did something to me, it did something for me,” said Barton, who was picked 40th overall by Portland in the 2012 draft. “It was like a high being in Memphis, not just on the court, but off the court. Going everywhere and being treated like a rock star. I can go on and on, man. It’s crazy, man. Sometimes I go back and replay it in my head. Sometimes I wish I could go back and feel some of that stuff over again, because it was just a special time for me.”"

Signing Barton is certainly the best case scenario for the Grizzlies.

Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans was beyond obviously the best player on the 2017-18 Memphis Grizzlies. Evans pretty much signed a “prove-it” contract last year and did he ever. There will be many teams knocking on his door for his services next season.

While Grizz fans would hope Tyreke could forgive Chris Wallace for his Trade Deadline handling, the reality is that Memphis probably will not be able to match contract offers Reke will be receiving from several other teams.

We believe that Lou Williams might have set the market, signing his deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, which would play in the favor of the Grizzlies having a shot at Evans. He is a Tier One player, but probably the most out of reach.

CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 8: Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JUNE 8: Rodney Hood #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors during Game Four of the 2018 NBA Finals on June 8, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Rodney Hood

Rodney Hood is a Restricted Free Agent. I do not foresee the Cavaliers matching offers for him the way things went down at the end of this season. The Grizzlies should make all things right and bring Hood home. You hear me, Chris Wallace? Right your wrong. Fix the mistake of taking Jordan Adams over Rodney Hood (in the 2014 NBA Draft) and BRING. HIM. HOME.

Hood is the prototypical three-and-D player. I still believe in him despite the disaster that was his Cleveland stint. He was probably on track for a bigger payday than our MLE, but the Cavalier fiasco will play a factor.

Marcus Smart

Marcus Smart is also a Restricted Free Agent that may require more money than the Grizzlies can afford. Smart could also have his restricted status revoked if the Celtics somehow acquire Kawhi Leonard.

Even if the Celtics do not acquire Kawhi, they might not decided to match any offers much higher than the MLE, which we know is all that we have barring some trade of JaMychal Green to rid the team of a power forward surplus.

Smart would be the second coming of Tony Allen in Memphis. His style of play just screams Grizzly. He would not fill the scoring void on the wing, but Wallace has doubled down on returning to Grit ‘N’ Grind, and Smart does just that.

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