Why the Memphis Grizzlies just released these two players

The Memphis Grizzlies announced they have waived two players from the team prior to the star of training camp, according to an official announcement from the team.

Who did the Memphis Grizzlies part ways with?

The Grizzlies decided to release two recently acquired players who never suited up for the team. Center Daniel Oturu and guard Carsen Edwards were both waived to make room for players with previous ties to the team.

In the same announcement, the Memphis Grizzlies announced they were not just waiving two players, but they were also signing three players to contracts.

The Grizzlies are converting Yves Pons from an Exhibit 10 contract to a two-way contract, joining Killian Tillie as the team’s two designated players who float between the Memphis Hustle and the Memphis Grizzlies. Pons joined the Grizzlies prior to the start of the 2021 Summer League where he was able to serve as a huge spark off the bench. Pons accumulated 7 points, 4 blocks, 3 steals and 7 rebounds during his four summer league appearances.

The team is also bringing back Sean McDermott after releasing him earlier in the offseason to accommodate a trade. McDermott played for the Grizzlies during summer league, shooting 47% from three during the four games in which he played. He also appeared in 18 regular season games for the Memphis Grizzlies last season, averaging 2.2 points and 1.1 rebound per game.

Finally, the team announced another Murray State Racer to the Memphis Grizzlies roster— Shaq Buchcanan. Buchanan has been grinding for the Hustle for the first two years of his professional basketball career, averaging 11.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 steal per game in two seasons with the Hustle.

Grizzlies fans may already be familiar with Pons, McDermott and Buchanan, but they’ll use the 2021 training camp time to build chemistry with players on the main roster and try to demonstrate to Head Coach Taylor Jenkins that they belong in the rotation.