The Memphis Grizzlies’ latest roster move cleared some of the backcourt jam while hinting that additional frontcourt assistance is on its way.
Being six games into the 2018-19 regular season, the Memphis Grizzlies are doing fairly well at 4-2 overall.
They may not be breaking NBA records for three-pointers made in a game, but Memphis is finding better early-season success than the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, and other star-studded teams.
The Grizzlies entered the season being comfortable with an abundance of guards on their roster. Meanwhile, they did not have many options within their frontcourt at the power forward and center positions.
It was almost a given that the injury bug would strike within the season’s first week, considering the Memphis Grizzlies’ reputation with sustaining significant injuries.
Sure enough, JaMychal Green went down with a broken jawbone. There went the Grizzlies’ starting power forward.
Shortly after, center Marc Gasol suffered a scary neck and shoulder injury, which looked worse than what it was (thankfully).
Had Gasol missed time, the Memphis Grizzlies would have been relying upon rookie Jaren Jackson Jr. and sophomore Ivan Rabb at the four- and five-spots. Beyond these two youngsters, it would have been time for drastic measures by Head Coach J.B. Bickerstaff.
Toying with small-ball lineups is not something in which the Grizzlies have a great deal of experience. They have been all about going “against the grain,” both figuratively and literally. Why change now?
It would not have been surprising to see the Grizzlies begin the regular season with an open roster spot (disregarding the two two-way contracts).
It did not make sense to have so many guards on the roster, especially when they all were deserving of minutes. It was “guard overkill,” if you will.
If the Front Office was unsure on the topic of additional frontcourt depth, leaving the 15th and final roster spot open should have been the decision.
On Thursday, the Memphis Grizzlies came to their senses and ended their three-year (and counting) development project of Andrew Harrison.
The Memphis Grizzlies’ General Manager, Chris Wallace, explained why the move happened six games into the regular season rather than prior to the season-opener.
It makes sense. Garrett Temple and Shelvin Mack have played exceptionally well on both ends of the floor early in their first season as members of the Grizzlies. The team also saves more than $1 million by waiving him now. The icing on the cake is having an open roster spot to use whenever additional help is needed.
Though it seems as if the team does not have any immediate plans to sign a player to the open roster spot, Chris Wallace is adamant about finding help via the G-League, and that is not limited to the Grizzlies’ affiliate in the Memphis Hustle.
The possibilities are endless if the G-League is in fact the route the Memphis Grizzlies take in filling the 15th roster spot. The club utilized the Hustle for quite a few trial runs of prospects that intrigued them during last season, but not much headway was made in finding a piece (or pieces) for the franchise’s future.
Looking outside of the G-League on the NBA’s free-agent market, there are a few veteran players that could potentially help the Grizzlies right away. For instance, center Joakim Noah is a name that The Daily Memphian‘s Chris Herrington says Memphis has talked with recently, but nothing is imminent.
Grizzlies had some contact with Joakim Noah recently, but have no plans to sign him (at least anytime soon, if at all). Harrison release wasn’t made with a specific signing in mind. Wouldn’t expect it to be filled immediately.
— Chris Herrington (@ChrisHerrington) November 1, 2018
By looking at the Grizzlies’ upcoming schedule, it would make most sense for them to ride out the next several games and assess the outcome(s).
Memphis’ current three-game road trip — which begins on Friday — features rematches with the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns, respectively. Then, on the second game of a back-to-back scenario, the Grizzlies take on the Golden State Warriors.
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If the Memphis Grizzlies can go 2-1 over the course of these next three games, expect that open roster spot to remain unfilled. However, if another frontcourt injury occurs and/or the Grizz go 0-3, it will be time to reevaluate things.
For now, it is time to appreciate the strides Andrew Harrison made during his tenure with the Grizzlies, in which he began not playing on a Grizzly contract in his first professional season.
Dating back to 2015, Memphis only owned his NBA Draft rights and he played the 2015-16 season as a member of the Iowa Energy (the Grizzlies’ Developmental League affiliate at that time).
By the end of the 2017-18 season, the former Kentucky Wildcat had appeared in 128 regular season games, including 64 starts for the Memphis Grizzlies. Harrison carved out a spot in the NBA, and it was enough to show other teams that he belongs.
It would be no surprise to see a team — such as the Phoenix Suns, for example — swoop in and add him to their backcourt for instant stability.
For the Grizzlies’ developmental department, this move hurts. It is a three-year project that was scrapped abruptly. However, it shows this particular Grizzly group has extreme depth, plus frontcourt insurance may soon arrive.