The Memphis Grizzlies will reportedly be moving on from one of their key pieces this off-season.
The Athletic’s Shams Charania (subscription required) previously reported that the Grizzlies would not be bringing back Dillon Brooks under any circumstances as he heads for free agency. This is shocking news, but it seems like the Grizzlies want to wipe the slate clean after Brooks’ antics this past season may have hurt the team in the playoffs. With Brooks out the door, here are players the team should look to replace him with in 2023 NBA Free Agency.
Memphis Grizzlies’ target No. 1 – Kelly Oubre Jr.
Following a pair of quality seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, Kelly Oubre Jr. is set to hit the free agent market. In a league that is quickly becoming so wing-dominant, Oubre will have no shortage of suitors on the open market looking to land him. As they look to replace Brooks, Memphis should be among the teams to make a run at Oubre.
While he’s not the defender Brooks is, Oubre is solid on that side of the ball in his own right. He’s a 6-foot-7 forward who is switchable and can defend a handful of different positions, and this team needs a player like that with Brooks gone. Perhaps the bigger draw with Oubre is his game on the offensive end, having averaged 17 points per game during his two-year stay in Charlotte. He’d be another solid scoring option for the Grizzlies on the wing.
Coming off his best season as a professional, Oubre is likely seeking a nice check in free agency this off-season. The Grizzlies might not be able to offer him the most cash, but they could offer him a clear-cut role on a team looking to contend for years to come.