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NBA Free Agency: Memphis Grizzlies Sign Kyle Anderson to Offer Sheet

By Christian Dudley

SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 4: Kyle Anderson #1 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the game on April 4, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - APRIL 4: Kyle Anderson #1 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the game on April 4, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 4: Kyle Anderson #1 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the game on April 4, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – APRIL 4: Kyle Anderson #1 of the San Antonio Spurs handles the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the game on April 4, 2017 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. 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 2017 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Memphis Grizzlies are finally digging deep into NBA Free Agency by signing small forward Kyle Anderson to an offer sheet.

Since NBA Free Agency 2018 opened on July 1st, it has been eerily quiet on the Memphis Grizzlies’ end of things. They reached a verbal agreement with Omri Casspi, which will aid with their bench depth.

On Friday evening, the Grizzlies decided to make a bigger move. They are now getting in on the Restricted Free Agent (RFA) market. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN had the initial report of Memphis’ agreement with San Antonio’s Kyle Anderson.

Anderson is a 6’9,” 230-pound small forward that most recently completed his fourth season in the NBA. He posted season averages of 7.9 points, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. While shooting 52.7% from the field (including 33.3% from deep), Kyle Anderson started 67 of 74 games played with the San Antonio Spurs in 2017-18. His 1.6 steals per game ranked 13th in the entire league.

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Memphis is 100% serious about going all-in on the defensive end. Not only did they snag two of the 2018 NBA Draft‘s top defenders, but their focus on Kyle Anderson further proves this point. Anderson ranked sixth in the NBA last season in defensive rating at 101.2. This mark was greater than DeMarcus Cousins (eighth), Anthony Davis (11th), and Al Horford (14th). Kyle also ranked third overall in the defensive box plus/minus category (4.3) and 16th overall in defensive win shares (3.8).

What is next in line for the RFA process? The San Antonio Spurs now have 48 hours in which they must mull over the option of matching the Memphis Grizzlies’ offer to Anderson. If the Spurs do not find it feasible to match the offer sheet, Kyle Anderson will don a Grizzly uniform in 2018-19. Looking in the future, Memphis would pay Anderson an average of $9.3 million per year. This would be strong value by the dollar.

Hold on tight, Grizz Nation. NBA Free Agency is just heating up! Remain with Beale Street Bears for the latest news, opinions, and insight on this news lead.

Go Grizz! 

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