Jarrett Culver, a reserve player for the 2021-22 Memphis Grizzlies, has officially found a new NBA home for the 2022-23 season.
The No. 6 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft has struggled to gain traction in his professional career after having a standout sophomore season at Texas Tech in 2018-2019.
The 6’6″ guard averaged 18.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 3.7 apg, and 1.5 spg in his final collegiate season before being drafted by the Phoenix Suns. He was subsequently traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves where he spent the first two seasons of his career before being acquired by the Grizzlies ahead of the 2021-22 season.
Culver appeared in just 37 games for Memphis and became a free agent this offseason after the Grizzlies declined to pick up his $8.11 million option for 2022-23.
Former Grizzlies player Jarrett Culver signs new 2022-23 NBA contract
Since the Grizzlies declined his option, Culver was free to hit the open market and find a new NBA home. And, after more than two months of being a free agent, the Atlanta Hawks announced they signed the 23-year-old.
But, there’s an interesting caveat to his new contract— it’s a two-way deal. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it’s believed to be a one-year deal.
It’s pretty telling that no NBA team wanted to roll the dice and give Culver a guaranteed roster spot for the upcoming 2022-23 season.
The former Red Raider is going to have to prove that he belongs in the NBA by splitting time between the Hawks and their G-League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks.
It was rumored that Jarrett Culver was signing with the Toronto Raptors just a couple of weeks ago, having been spotted wearing Raptors gear during a pro-am game.
This may be the final shot for the young guard, as he’s running out of opportunities and chances to stick with an NBA team. His next stop will likely be a full-time G-League gig or he’ll have to sign with a team overseas if he wishes to continue his professional basketball career.
As for the Grizzlies, even though Culver is gone, the team will still have to find ways to trim their over-stuffed roster before the regular season begins next month.