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Memphis Grizzlies: Is Nick Calathes Worth The Money?

By D. Goodman

May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Nick Calathes (12) during the third quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 101-86. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the basketball against Memphis Grizzlies guard Nick Calathes (12) during the third quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 101-86. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Among the lengthy list of items that the Memphis Grizzlies and their front office need to deal with this offseason is the future of guard Nick Calathes. Calathes is a restricted free agent this summer and Memphis needs to decide if they want to bring him back or let him sign elsewhere.

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Calathes was good this past year, but not great. He began the 2014-15 season on the bench, serving out a suspension for use of a banned substance and once he returned, his minutes had shrunk due to his job being taken by Beno Udrih. As a result his numbers took a hit across the board and he finished the season averaging 4.2 points, 2.5 assists and 1.8 rebounds in the 58 games he played in.

When Mike Conley went down in Game 3 of the Grizzlies’ series against the Portland Trail Blazers at the same time Udrih was out with an ankle issue, Calathes had the spotlight all to himself. He tried to show he was talented enough to lead this Grizzlies team to the next round of the playoffs and instead went 1-2 in the games he started in and only showed everyone that he was very adept at turning the ball over.

Once the offseason began with the Grizzlies getting eliminated by the future NBA champion Golden State Warriors, Calathes said he intends to remain in the NBA despite the possibility of a better payday overseas where he has played before. But David Pick, an international reporter for Basketball Insiders, has seemingly discovered otherwise:

And why wouldn’t Calathes look overseas? He has to know the situation the Grizzlies are in and that the chances of him getting what he wants are slim. Plus there is the fact that he impressed no one with his performance in the playoffs, which you can be sure did some damage to his value in the NBA.

As I said, Calathes was good this season, but there is simply no way he is worth $3.5 million, at least not to the Grizzlies. When you consider they still have to convince center Marc Gasol to stay in Memphis and then figure out some way to pay him and take care of Conley next season, there are better ways to spend any money they would use to retain Calathes.

It has been made abundantly clear over the past couple of NBA seasons that finding a quality point guard has never been easier in this league. Yes, ones with the skills of a Conley or a Russell Westbrook are rare but Memphis should be able to go out and find a guard who can function as a backup to Conley and Udrih with a minimal amount of trouble. And for far less than $3.5 million.

If there is a team in the NBA that thinks Calathes is their man, let them write the check and give him a new home. But if the Grizzlies want to have any kind of flexibility next season and take care of the players that will lead them to the NBA Finals, it’s time to say goodbye to Nick Calathes.

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