The Memphis Grizzlies are about to embark on one of the most exciting offseason in franchise history, ripe with countless possibilities thanks to a historic season, financial flexibility, and the star power of Ja Morant.
Free agency negotiations can begin June 30 at 5 p.m. CT, which will be here quickly. It’s time to start planning some scenarios and possible free agent targets for the Grizzlies.
Two of the team’s own key free agents, Tyus Jones and Kyle Anderson, are free to sign with any team this offseason. Many insiders and experts think there’s a good chance that one or both will be gone to pursue an expanded role with other teams. That’ll open up some cap room and roster spots if they both leave.
Memphis Grizzlies should value experience in 2022 NBA Free Agency
One of the biggest pain points during the playoffs (besides injuries/illness) was the lack of experience on the roster. The Grizzlies are incredibly young and it showed in their inability to close out games vs the Warriors in round two.
It’s going to be an even bigger problem if two of the three oldest players on the team are on their way out (Jones, Anderson).
How do you fix that? One obvious way is to get a little older and a little wiser in free agency. I would be looking at players who are younger than 30 with deep playoff experience, or even championship experience.
The Memphis Grizzlies can do that by taking a look at free agents from teams like the Phoenix Suns and Milwaukee Bucks— two teams with recent Finals experience.
These stipulations would cull the list to Deandre Ayton (RFA), Aaron Holiday (RFA), Elfrid Payton (UFA), Bismack Biyombo (UFA), Pat Connaughton (PO), Bobby Portis (PO), Thanasis Antetokounmpo (PO), Jordan Nwora (RFA), Jevon Carter (UFA), and Lindell Wiggington (RFA).
Memphis Grizzlies should pursue Bobby Portis and Pat Connaughton
Of this list, Pat Connaughton and Bobby Portis could be ideal targets that fit needs, and the Grizzlies would likely not have to break the bank to land them. However, one or both players would have to decline their option to play another year with Milwaukee at the same salary.
Ayton would be nice, but he’s likely to command $100 million+ from a team. Do the Grizzlies really want to have three players each making nine figures (Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, and hypothetically Ayton) at the same time?
Biyombo could be interesting, but he’s pretty limited on offense. He’s also a bit undersized at 6’8″ and the Grizzlies have that role filled with Brandon Clarke— whose skills better suit this team.
Connaughton and Portis are both proven commodities and champions that know what it takes to get to the Finals and win. I would imagine in a weak free agency class, these two players will opt out and see if they can get nice pay raises, making them unrestricted free agents.
Connaughton, a 6’5″ guard with 8 seasons of experience, made $5.33 million last season with the Bucks and Portis, a 6’10” forward with 8 seasons of experience, made $4.45 million last season.
The Grizzlies could have the room to nearly double each of their pay and draft a backup point guard in the 2022 NBA Draft to reload their roster for a deep playoff run in 2022-23. The Grizzlies could have somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 million in cap space this offseason, according to Damichael Cole of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Portis, Connaughton deliver shooting, experience to Memphis Grizzlies
So, why should the Grizzlies pursue these two players in particular?
Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach Taylor Jenkins could be reunited with Connaughton, whom he coached when he served as an assistant in Milwaukee from 2018-2019. In Memphis, Portis would be as close as he could get in the NBA to his hometown of Little Rock (135 miles across I-40).
Portis is dynamic and played like a starter last season for Milwaukee. He has a mentality and persona that matches the Grizzlies— he’s tough and willing to make whatever sacrifices necessary to win. He can knock down three-point shots, rebound really well, set screens, and play hard-nosed defense.
Portis averaged 14.6 PPG, 9.1 RPG on 47.9 FG% in 28.2 MPG last season. He played as a starter for 59 games in the absence of an injured Brook Lopez, establishing himself as a key component for the Bucks.
Connaughton may be a little redundant with the Grizzlies, as he’s kind of a juiced-up version of John Konchar. But, his ability to score (9.9 PPG), knock down three-pointers consistently (39.5%), and take care of the ball (0.5 turnovers per game) make him too hard to pass up if he’s attainable.
You could imagine a bench lineup of De’Anthony Melton, Pat Connaughton, Ziaire Williams, Brandon Clarke and Bobby Portis if the team was able to somehow sign both of these Milwaukee players.
But, if it came down to acquiring just one of these two, Portis is the clear favorite and fills a need. Come playoff time he could even start in lieu of Steven Adams if necessary, using his more athletic frame to keep up with the Karl-Anthony Towns’ of the world.