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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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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 08: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives past Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the first half at Staples Center on April 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The Jazz defeated the Lakers 112-97. 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 John McCoy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kentavious Caldwell-Pope; Donovan Mitchell
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 08: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives past Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz in the first half at Staples Center on April 8, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The Jazz defeated the Lakers 112-97. 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 John McCoy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kentavious Caldwell-Pope; Donovan Mitchell /

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

KCP signed a J.J. Redick-type deal with the Lakers this past offseason. The former Georgia Bulldog was shown the door in Detroit when they acquired Avery Bradley, and was demanding more money long-term than teams believed he was worth. Los Angeles had the cap room and the roster space, so they threw him a bone.

Sadly for him, he did not prove himself like Tyreke did and he will be hunting for MLE deals after being outplayed by rookie Josh Hart. KCP would be a nice fit in Memphis and one of the more realistic gets for the Grizz.

Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay opted out of his final year of his contract with the San Antonio Spurs. The money he was going to get from them is likely more than he will get from anyone else this offseason. He is either betting on himself, or looking to take less money and sign with someone like Houston or Golden State to chase a ring. My bet is that the Grizzlies do not really kick the tires here and he lands in Houston.

Lance Stephenson

Wouldn’t it be a beautiful thing to see Born Ready back in Beale Street Blue? Stephenson and Tony Allen were cut from the same Trick-or-Treat fabric. It seems like Lance thrives as a Pacer, but if Memphis can get Lance for less than the full MLE, they should certainly take a shot on him. But only after kicking all the tires on Tier One players and KCP.

BROOKLYN, NY – FEBRUARY 12: Avery Bradley #11 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on February 12, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY – FEBRUARY 12: Avery Bradley #11 of the LA Clippers handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on February 12, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Avery Bradley

When Avery Bradley was approaching Free Agency going into last season, he was an ideal Grizzly. He has made multiple All-Defensive Teams and averaged a career-high 16.3 points per game in 2016-17. But the Memphis Grizzlies, if they expect to make the playoffs again as soon as next year, cannot afford to take a risk on a player who had season-ending surgery LAST YEAR. Bradley has played in more than 60 games in only three of his eight seasons in the NBA.

I would only look into Bradley if the market was closing up quickly, but I feel Avery Bradley could be the most likely free agent to become a Grizzly next season.

Joe Harris

Harris is the sleeper of the second tier. Many people would say he belongs in tier 3, but playing for a terrible Brooklyn team means he was not seen by many of the casual fans. The Nets have a surplus of wings and might decide to let Harris walk. He can flat-out shoot and would provide great bench scoring for Memphis. He reminds me of a Joe Ingles-type of guy.

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