Memphis Grizzlies: Grading NBA Offseason So Far
By AJ Salah
Grizzlies Free Agency
Jonas Valanciunas – 3 yrs/$45 million
Memphis got Valanciunas on what seems like a pretty reasonable deal. They avoided committing to the fourth year, taking a per-season rate that seems about on market par.
JV broke out in Memphis, punctuating a career year with simply dominant stat lines down the stretch. Retaining him allows Memphis to further milk their return equity for Marc Gasol. Valanciunas could hold both roster and trade appeal, especially if Golden State’s demise trends the NBA away from small-ball, as some predict.
Jonas gives Memphis options, both in their roster and on the open market. They correctly made keeping him a priority.
Grade: B+
Tyus Jones – 3 yrs/$24 million
This signing needs to be judged in the context of Delon Wright, whom the Grizzlies sign-and-traded to the Dallas Mavericks for future picks and this dude. Jones saves them a bit of money, but it’s hard to prefer this contract to the 3/$29 million Wright signed for.
Minnesota (in Andrew Wiggins cap hell) declined to match the generous offer, making Jones Memphis’ new de-facto backup PG. His playmaking is uber-efficient (led NBA in assist-TO ratio last year), but his shooting is suspect, and he isn’t as versatile as Wright.
Jones in young enough (23) to still yield upside, but Wright’s was less-tapped. Do future picks and $5 million represent enough margin?