Beale Street Bears
Fansided

5 players the Grizzlies never should have signed

By Elaine Blum

PHOENIX - DECEMBER 15: Darko Milicic #31 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw shot against the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 128-122. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX - DECEMBER 15: Darko Milicic #31 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots a free throw shot against the Phoenix Suns during the NBA game at US Airways Center on December 15, 2010 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Timberwolves 128-122. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Mar 15, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Dominique Jones (20) and power forward Brian Cardinal (35) wait for play to resume against the Charlotte Bobcats during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Bobcats 101-96. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Dominique Jones (20) and power forward Brian Cardinal (35) wait for play to resume against the Charlotte Bobcats during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Bobcats 101-96. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Brian Cardinal

After a rocky first three years to start his NBA career, Brian Cardinal had a breakout year when he played his first full season in 2003-04. He averaged 9.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from deep for the Golden State Warriors.

In the 2004 offseason, the Grizzlies then signed Cardinal to a six-year $34.6 million deal.

His first year under contract was solid. His shooting percentages went down but he still averaged 9.0 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 steals over 58 games.

Unfortunately, after that, things went downhill fast for Cardinal and the Grizzlies.

Over the next three seasons, he never played more than 37 games and never averaged more than 4.5 points per game. Accordingly, his minutes went down as well, making many fans think that the money they spent on his big contract could have been used on a more reliable role player.

In his last season with the Grizzlies during the 2007-08 campaign, Cardinal averaged 3.4 points on just 34.1 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from deep while tacking on 2.6 rebounds but made more money than Rudy Gay, who started 81 games and averaged around 20 points.

At first glance, signing Cardinal didn’t seem like such a bad idea. He had a breakout season after all and had the potential to be a solid role player.

The question is, however, is just that worthy of giving him a big long-term contract?

Simply put, the answer is no.

Cardinal did not play or produce enough to justify the money the Grizzlies were spending on him, and they could have gotten better and more reliable production if they had signed someone else instead.

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