The Memphis Grizzlies are bringing back two members of last season’s team, including one key part of the backcourt rotation.
The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to re-sign free agent guard De’Anthony Melton, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Restricted free agent De’Anthony Melton has agreed to four-year, $35M deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2020
Last season, Melton averaged 7.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3 assists per game for the Grizzlies. He came to Memphis from the Phoenix Suns as part of the Josh Jackson trade.
Melton excels in bringing good defense and effort every night off of the bench.
Melton was a excellent sparkplug for the second unit and added important depth to the Grizzlies. He averaged 1.3 steals per game and was their top perimeter defender. According to FiveThiryEight, De’Anthony was rated 2nd on the Grizzlies roster in defensive “RAPTOR” only behind forward Gorgui Dieng. (“RAPTOR” is a analytical tool that FiveThityEight uses to determine how players are performing via plus-minus stats and how they contribute to offense and defense on a certain amount of possessions.)
On the offensive end, Melton is a slasher that can finish around the rim. He gets most of his opportunities in transition and off of turnovers. To take the next step, he will need to improve his shooting, especially behind the 3-point arc. Melton shot just 40 percent from the field and 28 percent from 3-point range.
Overall, the signing of Melton is good and was very important for the Grizzlies. Melton’s teammates appear to agree, as they have been showing their excitement of the signing.
https://twitter.com/JaMorant/status/1330192093000708101
Yessir Melt! @DeAnthonyMelton https://t.co/DoeCwiwEqt
— Tyus Jones (@1Tyus) November 21, 2020
The Grizzlies also agreed to re-sign John Konchar to a contract, according to Shams Charania. Konchar played in 19 games for the Grizzlies after going undrafted out of Purdue-Fort Wayne. He averaged 2.8 points per game and shot 65 percent from the field in his very limited playing time. Konchar adds bench production and depth, with a chance to continue his development.
Former undrafted two-way player John Konchar has agreed to a four-year, $9M deal with the Memphis Grizzlies, agent Happy Walters tells @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2020
Konchar provided a great spark off the bench and a impressive block against Dwight Howard and the Los Angeles Lakers this past season.