5 fresh free agent ideas for the Memphis Grizzlies to consider before free agency begins

We’re taking a look at a handful of fresh options for the Memphis Grizzlies to target now that a big wave of player options and club options have been declined in the hours prior to free agency opening.

Before the market goes bananas, I’ve identified a few players worth the $20 or so million of cap space the Grizzlies should have once the market is open for business.

We’re going into this exercise with the assumption that primary backups Tyus Jones and Kyle Anderson decide to sign with other teams, leaving the young Grizzlies in search of one or more veterans to help shore up the depth chart.

Memphis Grizzlies should pursue backup point guard Patty Mills

The Grizzlies may be in need of a backup point guard if Tyus Jones decides to leave the team in free agency. He will have interest from a handful of teams, so the Grizzlies will need to be prepared to sign a veteran if he does leave.

The Grizzlies could find that stead, veteran backup in 2014 NBA Champion Patty Mills, who won a title with the San Antonio Spurs back in 2014.

The 6’1″ point guard, who will be in his age 34 season, could be a fantastic edition while allowing rookie Kennedy Chandler to learn, grow and prepare himself to be Ja Morant’s backup of the future.

Mills was a consistent three-point threat last season for Brooklyn. He came close to averaging a career-high in points per game (11.4) and shot 40% from beyond the arc.

Can you imagine Desmond Bane and Mills on the wings while a driving Ja Morant gets to decide if he should dunk on someone or kick out to two of the most accurate shooters from long-distance in 2021-22?