The Memphis Grizzlies took a swing and a miss on Jarrett Culver for the 2021-22 NBA season. He was acquired in a trade that sent Patrick Beverly to the Minnesota Timberwolves last summer
It was always a long shot that Culver would be able to carve out a significant role on the Grizzlies. He was buried on the depth chart behind Ja Morant and Tyus Jones.
The 23-year-old averaged just 9.1 minutes per game in 37 game appearances for the Grizzlies during the 2021-22 season. He recorded averages of 3.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg, and 0.9 apg in a reserve role for the team before becoming a free agent this offseason.
Could former Memphis Grizzlies guard Jarrett Culver be headed to Toronto?
We haven’t heard much from Culver or his camp about his future in the NBA. It doesn’t bode well that the former high lottery pick still doesn’t have a contract signed with just a few weeks until training camps begin.
However, the rumor mill has been swirling that links Culver to the Toronto Raptors.
Our friends at Raptors Rapture reported the young guard donning Raptors gear at a recent pro-am rum.
And then just a week or so ago, the 2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year, Scottie Barnes, made allusions to his team inking Culver to a deal.
Now, there appears to be some fire to that smoke. Toronto has reportedly released Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk, creating an open roster spot for Culver to come in and compete during training camp to try and earn a roster spot.
The Raptors have been wanting to shore up their bench all offseason, but is Culver the right answer for a team looking to make a deeper run in next year’s playoffs?
Culver seems to be running out of options and if he can take this opportunity, he should. He may not get any more chances to play in the NBA if this stint with the Raptors doesn’t come to fruition. If he wants to keep playing basketball, he may have to go overseas.