Memphis Grizzlies: Who Wins The Race For The Last Roster Spot?
By Tom Firme
Memphis Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger holds plenty of options as he looks to round out the roster when training camp starts on Sept. 29. The Grizzlies possess a deep bench. Two of the players without fully guaranteed have a good shot at a roster spot, but only one can win it.
The Grizzlies have 14 guaranteed contracts on the books. JaMychal Green carries a partially guaranteed deal, but faces competition with five others to don the Beale Street blue when the regular season opens. Memphis hosts training camp invitees Michael Holyfield, Ryan Hollins, Dan Nwaelele and Yakhouba Diawara, along with draft day acquisition Andrew Harrison.
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Three of the six players in this competition, Hollins, Green and Diawara, have NBA experience, although Diawara hasn’t been on a roster in five years. Holyfield and Harrison came out of college this year.
However, experience won’t matter as much as skills and team need in the fight for the Grizzlies’ last roster spot. Frontcourt depth figures as a greater concern than that of the backcourt. Memphis boasts three point guards and four shooting guards among its 14 guaranteed players. Six of them are veterans of at least seven years.
Joerger likely concerns himself more with the frontcourt depth since Brandan Wright is the only reserve big man with more than a year of NBA experience. Even Wright is a question mark, as he has only made it through 65 games or more once in his seven-year career.
Following is a breakdown on each candidate for the Grizzlies’ last roster spot. See which one has the best shot to join the team.
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