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Memphis Grizzlies Guarantee the Contract of Veteran Shooting Guard

By Christian Dudley

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 26: Wayne Selden #7 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 26, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - MARCH 26: Wayne Selden #7 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 26, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 26: Wayne Selden #7 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 26, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – MARCH 26: Wayne Selden #7 of the Memphis Grizzlies shoots a free throw during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 26, 2018 at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 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 David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

 The Memphis Grizzlies have guaranteed the contract of Wayne Selden Jr., but appear to have been somewhat hesitant about the decision.

It has been rather quiet on the Memphis Grizzlies’ side of things since the July 1st opening of NBA Free Agency. Aside from one veteran’s minimum signing and an offer sheet extended to a Restricted Free Agent, plenty of names have flown off the open market.

Rather than this being a case of the Grizzlies’ Front Office simply snoozing at the wheel, it is actually smart of them to hold off on the activity. Two of their biggest needs come at the wing positions and they could greatly improve upon these areas without adding another name.

How so, you ask?

Knowing the Memphis Grizzlies, the phrase “injury bug” is unfortunately associated with this club year-in and year-out. For players on last season’s roster that fit the wing description, Ben McLemore appeared in 56 of 82 games. Wayne Selden Jr. checked into just 35 contests. Chandler Parsons? Only 36 games. One gem pulled from the rough, MarShon Brooks, was a late-season signing that only got in seven games with Memphis, but was remarkable in a lost season.

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If guys can remain healthy, chemistry and consistency will have the potential to form. This also greatens’ the squad’s overall depth. Plus, imagine if MarShon can make his scoring pace consistent over the long 82-game haul. Suddenly, the Grizzlies have scoring, depth, and plenty of options depending on nightly matchups.

In the specific case of Wayne Selden, the 6’5″ shooting guard had high hopes one year ago. He was electrifying for the Memphis Grizzlies in summer league action. The Kansas product averaged 22.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per game through seven meetings. Though he shot just 28.9% from long-range, he achieved a 46.4% field goal shooting accuracy overall.

Entering his third NBA season, Selden was placed on the Grizzlies’ rosters for both the Utah and Vegas Summer Leagues. Considering last year’s summer dominance, you would think that he would have nothing to do with another summer league. However, from the Grizzlies’ perspective, his presence on the team’s 2018 summer league squad most likely due to a contract-related factor.

Michael Wallace of Grind City Media shared the information (directly below) on Wayne Selden this past week as the team prepared to finish their three-game run in the Utah Summer League.

Selden is now locked in for the Memphis Grizzlies’ 2018-19 season. He has also been dynamite this past week in summer league play just as he was in 2017. The real key for his NBA success is to remain at full health.

By placing Wayne in the Utah and Vegas leagues, it gave the team one final chance to see if he is worth the guaranteed cash. If healthy, he absolutely is. And now, he is 100% healthy, as shown in this past week’s games. The real key is the Grizzlies maintaining luck on the injury front (or lack thereof) by the time the regular season opens.

Go Grizz! 

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