Beale Street Bears
Fansided

6 Players the Memphis Grizzlies Should Target After December 15th

By Christian Dudley

SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 24: Yogi Ferrell #3 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Wayne Selden #7 of the Memphis Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center on October 24, 2018 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 24: Yogi Ferrell #3 of the Sacramento Kings is guarded by Wayne Selden #7 of the Memphis Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center on October 24, 2018 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – OCTOBER 24: Yogi Ferrell #3 of the Sacramento Kings goes up with the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – OCTOBER 24: Yogi Ferrell #3 of the Sacramento Kings goes up with the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Yogi Ferrell

Go ahead and snicker about someone by the first name of “Yogi” playing for the bears of Beale Street. From a basketball standpoint, Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell is exactly what the Memphis Grizzlies need if the team truly wants a reliable scoring and playmaking point guard in their second unit.

Shelvin Mack has done an admirable job and you cannot ask for much more than what he has contributed through 27 games. His presence has won a few games for the Grizzlies, and he has been a clear upgrade over the Andrew Harrison project. Regardless, things can still go up from here.

Yogi Ferrell is much like Mack in that his stays in “attack mode.” Though he may be short in height, he makes up for it in strength and heart. Yogi has found success in the league by providing bursts of energy and offensive firepower when his team has needed it most.

The Indiana University product was highly coveted by the Dallas Mavericks just two seasons ago. He battled through the NBA’s Developmental League and became an overnight star after hitting some big shots in regular season games for the Mavs.

Since Dallas has been stockpiling top-rated guards, it forced Ferrell out of town. Last season, Dennis Smith Jr. ate a lot of the minutes that were originally assigned to Yogi. Then in Free-Agency of 2018, Yogi had verbally committed to rejoin the Mavericks, but had a quick change of plans once he noticed rookie Luka Doncic would command major minutes, too.

Ferrell was the odd man out in Dallas, and jumped on an opportunity to become a member of the Sacramento Kings. Though it was a slightly sweeter contract, the same problem remained — a clogged backcourt rotation. Averaging just 12.4 minutes per game and appearing in 17 of 27 matchups, it is easy to see that Yogi is expendable.

In making just $3 million this season and another $3 million in the year after, Yogi Ferrell provides a lot of bang per buck with a low-cost contract. Being as Yogi is similar to Shelvin Mack, this move is probably unlikely, but it does make sense if the Grizzlies want to instantly get younger at the backup point guard position.

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