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Three Reasons the Memphis Grizzlies Ended the Kobi Simmons Project

By Christian Dudley

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 30: Kobi Simmons
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 30: Kobi Simmons /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 10: Kobi Simmons #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 10: Kobi Simmons #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies handles the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 9, 2018 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

 The release of Kobi Simmons came as a shock to some Memphis Grizzlies fans, but it makes plenty of sense.

On Tuesday, the Memphis Grizzlies made another move to further prepare their training camp roster. Within the process, several things are happening behind the scenes.

The latest roster move arrived in the form of the release of guard Kobi Simmons. The 6’5″ guard emerged as an undrafted steal in his rookie year of 2017-18. He appeared in 32 games (12 starts) en route to producing 6.1 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game on 42.3% field goal shooting. For an undrafted rookie, these were huge feats, not to mention he received 20.1 minutes per contest from the Grizzlies while playing on a two-way contract.

The Front Office’s decision to part ways with Kobi Simmons was perhaps premature in the eyes of many Grizzlies fans. However, they had good reason as they look to mold their training camp roster. When it comes to Memphis assessing young talent, there is an abundance of projects in which they could invest, but they are limited to roster positions (including a maximum of two two-way contracts).

Regardless, the choice has been made. Why did the Memphis Grizzlies pull the plug on a developmental project that had been one of the few bright spots in a miserable 22-60 season? Beale Street Bears will now outline the top three reasons the Memphis Grizzlies severed ties with Kobi Simmons.

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