The Memphis Grizzlies were not expected to make a move in the first few hours of free agency last night. So, why did Memphis take Omri Casspi in the first hour of free agency?
Participation trophies are for teams that do not make it to the tournament, or fall short of the championship in youth sports today. It is a way of keeping a kid calm, and trying to keep him or her motivated to comeback the next season and try and get the big trophy.
Last night, Memphis was the average team that did not get their trophy, and by trophy I mean Tyreke Evans, Will Barton, and even Avery Bradley. While two of the three are still unsigned right now, General Manager Chris Wallace couldn’t help himself, could he?
Bringing in a a guy that has been on four teams in the last two years. Sacramento, New Orleans, and Minnesota a year ago. Then, signing with Golden State and appearing in 53 games (seven starts) and averaging 5.7 points.
Granted it is a one year, veterans minimum deal, but I again ask, why? Maybe I’m sour because I expected Memphis to hold up their word up on the Tyreke saga. Or maybe I’m just over listening to an incompetent front office rolling out a puppet to continue blowing promise after promise.
I’m not an insider, and I don’t have the answers about what happened last night, but after being rumored with wanting to reach out to Avery Bradley at midnight, and promising the fan base Evans the MLE? I’m over the broken promises this front office gives to its fans. I’m sure several people stayed up last night wanting to hear that Memphis was in direct contact with several teams, but boy did Wallace get that participation trophy.
I’m sure Wallace reached out to several free agents last night, but the looks of this team is ruined. Before it was tough to bring in a big name or even a good six man with the MLE the Grizzlies have now, but when players come in and out of this system, word spreads.
From this:
*Anticipation Builds*
Memphis Grizzlies interested in free agent Avery Bradley
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 28, 2018
➡️ MORE: https://t.co/VwkjgLMnAG#NBAFreeAgency pic.twitter.com/lTgDvcnP2E
Then:
The Memphis Grizzlies are among several teams interested in free agent guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, league sources told The Athletic.
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) July 1, 2018
Striking Out:
Sources: #Clippers will meet w/Avery Bradley today. Bradley, 27, has not played since March 13 because of abdominal surgery. Deft combo man and defensive wizard played in just six games for the Clips last season after being acquired in the Blake Griffin deal w/#Pistons.
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 1, 2018
Didn’t even get a meeting last night.
Warriors keeping an eye on Tyreke Evans, Warriors GM Bob Myers is his former agent, per @sam_amick https://t.co/MrrbqdQHDd pic.twitter.com/u4p1u0NIA8
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 1, 2018
Another broken promise walking out of Memphis
Participation Trophy:
Free agent forward Omri Casspi has agreed to a one-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2018
This is the current state of Memphis, and the mood surrounding this team around the league. I understand the money side of things, but players are running from this situation. A front office that has ruined the respect Memphis has with players and other front offices around the league.