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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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SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 5: Kobi Simmons #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies is introduced before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 5, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX – MARCH 5: Kobi Simmons #2 of the Memphis Grizzlies is introduced before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on March 5, 2018 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 2018 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Clearing the Backcourt Logjam

Ultimately, the Memphis Grizzlies needed to clear up their backcourt which was absolutely cluttered. This offseason, the team has further done this to themselves, which will be touched upon in the second reason for the Grizzlies’ release of Kobi Simmons.

On paper, Mike Conley is locked into the starting point guard position. Then there is Andrew Harrison, who made major strides in the 2017-18 season. Plus, one name that will be quick to make an impact is Jevon Carter, the rookie out of West Virginia. Much like Harrison, Carter can ideally play the role of a combo-guard.

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Then there is that efficient guy the Grizzlies received from Sacramento that can play positions one through three depending on the matchup. His name is Garrett Temple and he will undoubtedly log meaningful minutes in 2018-19. Next in line is Shelvin Mack, a free-agent addition that has been journeyman, though solid in his contributions. Then there is Simmons.

While Kobi Simmons was hoping for a leap up the depth chart and a leap off the two-way contract, experienced veterans continue to take precedence. Kobi fits the label as a “combo-guard” type, much like Harrison, Carter, and Temple, but that is not the plan that Memphis had in mind. With the way Simmons can slice and dice through the lane and dish off a crafty pass, the team needed him to be a facilitating point guard. At times, he wants to do too much and hoist shot attempts. They ideally want a pass-first point guard while they receive scoring from other positions.

For now, Simmons’ release means a two-way contract has become available. It is a slight move in the right direction when considering the decluttering of the backcourt, but it should not be the last move of this type. The backcourt is not free of the logjam just yet.

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