4 Fringe Grizzlies who deserve to return next season
By Will Eudy
One of the most bizarre and unorthodox seasons in Memphis Grizzlies history is now in the past. A team that was expected to be a bona fide contender in the Western Conference went through an unheard of amount of injuries, and the result was a fall to the lottery.
A jaw-dropping 31 different players suited up for Memphis this season, a number that shattered the previous record of 28 also held by the Grizzlies during the 2015-16 season. With so many (for lack of a more endearing term) fringe-level players coming through the organization all year, it was a bit difficult to determine who was worth keeping around for another year and who was better off elsewhere.
But with the season now concluded, we have a more rounded view of which guys the Grizzlies should be trying to retain past this summer. These four players deserve to return to Memphis next season.
1. Jordan Goodwin
Joining Memphis on a two-way contract in February, Jordan Goodwin only played 17 games with the franchise this past season. However, they were 17 of his best games as a professional basketball player.
Goodwin got his first real opportunity since entering the league, earning over 29 minutes per night with the Grizzlies. He put up 10.0 points per game with the opportunity he received. Not much really jumped off the page in terms of his performance, but the possibility for a real player is there.
Memphis could use another ball-handling guard, and there is little reason not to give Jordan another shot for next season on a two-way deal.