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Recently waived Grizzlies guard expected to sign with rising conference rival

By Mark Nilon

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Head coach Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies smiles during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 12, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 12: Head coach Taylor Jenkins of the Memphis Grizzlies smiles during the game against the Atlanta Hawks on October 12, 2023 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. 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 Paras Griffin/Getty Images) /
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This summer, the Memphis Grizzlies proved to be quite a busy ball club as they participated in numerous transactions ranging from executing blockbuster deals to snagging a few hopeful draft-day steals.

One of the biggest moves made by the franchise was the sign-and-trade that sent long-tenured starting wing Dillon Brooks to the Houston Rockets, a move wildly heralded as a net positive for the team.

With the transaction, the Grizzlies not only dodged a bullet by not shelling out the $80 million deal that went to their former polarizing small forward, but they also brought on the likes of young guard, Josh Christopher.

Of course, despite his allure of being a recently selected first-round talent (taken 24 overall by the Rockets during the 2021 NBA Draft), his stint in Grind City wound up lasting just shy of three months, as GM Zach Kleiman and company opted to waive his contract on September 30.

Now, after clearing waivers, it appears the 21-year-old has officially found himself a new home, as reports have surfaced stating that he’ll be heading to one of Memphis’ own conference rivals.

Recently waived Grizzlies guard Josh Christopher to sign with the Utah Jazz

Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, sources are saying Christopher is expected to ink a two-way deal with the Jazz.

Utah is a team coming off of a rather surprising 2022-23 campaign where they finished right on the outside looking in on a Play-In Tournament slot with a record of 37-45 despite coming into the year predicted to be a bottom-five club in the league after offloading their former franchise cornerstones over the summer in Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert.

As for Christopher, while he never went on to show his potential on the hardwood as a member of the Grizzlies, during his two-year tenure in Houston he did show some promise as an athletic backcourt commodity, finishing with averages of 6.9 points, 1.9 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and just shy of a steal while shooting 45.5 percent from the field.

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