4 Fringe Grizzlies who deserve to return next season
By Will Eudy
3. Yuta Watanabe
DISCLAIMER: This was written before Yuta's announcement that he will return to Japan next season.
With it being essentially a lost season in Memphis, the Grizzlies were able to try a lot of different things, and probably way more than any of the coaching staff ever anticipated. They played starters in lineups with two-way players, big lineups, small lineups, you name it and the Grizz probably did it this season.
Of course, having so many players in your rotation that you were not planning to play creates a lot of confusion. One player that did not get nearly as much burn as he clearly would have in a full season scenario was Yuta Watanabe. Traded to Memphis from the Phoenix Suns ahead of the trade deadline in February, Yuta only suited up in five games for the team post-deadline.
With it being so clearly a lost season, there was little reason for the Grizzlies to play someone who is as much of a floor-raiser as Watanabe down the stretch of the regular season. He is a very solid shooter that could absolutely be of use to the team down the line.
A career 37% shooter from three that can be used in varying ways due to his size, Yuta is an excellent candidate to return to Memphis next season. He will have a $2.6 million player option for the 2024-25 year.