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5 of Memphis Grizzlies’ worst free agency signings of all time

By Noah Hancock

Feb 10, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; The hand and shorts logo of Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson (1) during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA; The hand and shorts logo of Memphis Grizzlies forward Kyle Anderson (1) during the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Like every NBA team, the Memphis Grizzlies have had their fair share of bad pick-ups in free agency. They’ve had trouble with free agency decisions in the past, whether it was an aging star, an overhyped youngster, or just a questionable move. With the regular season just around the corner, I have decided to rank Memphis’ five worst free agency signings of all time.

5. Ben McLemore 2017: 2-year 10.66 million

Apr 9, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ben McLemore (23) tries to shoot but gets fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ben McLemore (23) tries to shoot but gets fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports /

In 2017, Ben McLemore signed a two-year, $10.6 million deal with the Grizzlies after his team option was declined by the Sacramento Kings. It is not that this pickup was necessarily bad. McLemore’s production was abysmal. When he played, Memphis went 7-49 (15-11 without him). McLemore shot 34.6% from deep and -6 +/- over the one year he spent with Memphis. The guard’s production did not lead to any success during his Grizzlies tenure.

For context, former Grizzlies role player Quincy Adams produced similar numbers in similar minutes in his three seasons with Memphis and got paid a quarter of the amount as McLemore. The former lottery pick was an okay player for Memphis, but he did not deserve a nearly $11 million contract. That’s why he ends up as number five on my list.

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