Over the years, the Memphis Grizzlies have seen plenty of players don the blue and gold threads, though, considering the club’s current core group consisting of relatively young talents, it’s evident that not many found their stints to be all that long.
In fact, currently residing on the free agency market are several former Grind City residents who are seeking a new team to call their own.
Today, we pinpoint three specific former Grizzlies who, in the right setting, could still be of service within an NBA rotation.
Former Grizzlies that are still available in free agency
3. JaMychal Green
Though by no means a star in this league, JaMychal Green has proven himself to be a solid frontcourt contributor throughout his soon-to-be 10-year NBA career.
The big man suited up for the Grizzlies for the majority of his first five seasons in the association and endeared himself to the Bluff City faithful with his tough-nosed defensive efforts (boasted a 108 defensive rating with Memphis) and steady floor spacing abilities (converted on 36.2 percent of his three-point attempts).
Come the 2019 trade deadline, however, Green was dealt to the Los Angeles Clippers and, since then, has suited up for three total teams along with the Denver Nuggets and, most recently, the Golden State Warriors where, in 2022-23, he posted averages of 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting a highly efficient 54.0 percent from the floor and 37.8 percent from deep.
For a team in need of a veteran big man who can provide efficient efforts on both ends of the floor in a good 12 to 15 minutes of allocated playing time, JaMychal Green is certainly worth a look.
2. Justise Winslow
Following an astounding one-and-done season at Duke back in 2014-15 where he was awarded ACC All-Freshman team honors and paved the way to a national championship, Justise Winslow was selected 10 overall back in the 2015 NBA Draft with the hope of becoming a new franchise cornerstone for the Miami Heat as Dwayne Wade faded into the twilight years of his career.
Fast forward eight years later, however, and we find the once-promising prospect fighting to keep his professional career alive following four consecutive seasons suiting up for four separate franchises, a list that includes the Grizzlies (2020-21).
Now, despite not living up to expectations upon coming into the association, Winslow is still a competent talent who can impact a game in many different ways.
The guard-forward hybrid finds himself coming off a one-and-a-half season stint with the Portland Trail Blazers where he posted solid per-game averages of 7.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and half a block.
Unfortunately, as has been the case throughout his career, injuries held Justise Winslow to just 29 games played in 2022-23 and 40 games total while in Rip City.
However, as Grizzlies fans know personally, when healthy he has proven himself to be a solid multi-purpose role player who can provide quality minutes for a team in need of depth anywhere from the four up to the one.
1. Danny Green
Ironically, the most recent former member of the Memphis Grizzlies from this list may also be the one most fans have already forgotten about.
Danny Green was acquired at the 2022 NBA Draft via trade with the Philadelphia 76ers and, due to his elongated recovery period from a torn ACL and LCL sustained the season prior, saw in-game action on just three occasions before being traded to the Houston Rockets on February 9, only to subsequently be bought out and then sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Now well over a year removed from his grueling knee injury, the veteran sharpshooter finds himself available on the market and, frankly, considering his skill set coupled with his ample postseason success throughout the years, a vast majority of title-contending clubs should be intrigued by the idea of scooping him up.
Throughout his 14 years in the association, Green has taken part in a whopping 169 playoff games, seeing six conference finals appearances, four NBA Finals trips, and three NBA Championships.
The 26-year-old has also proven to be a highly efficient two-way shooting threat during his career, boasting averages of 8.7 points while shooting 40.0 percent from deep and boasting an astounding defensive rating of 104.
Looking around the league, there is a bevy of wing-needy, championship-hopefuls who should be interested in vying for Danny Green’s services.