Memphis Grizzlies 2015 Free Agency: How’d They Do?

By D. Goodman | Jul 22, 2015

Apr 29, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen celebrates fromt the bench in the second half against the Portland Trailblazers in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Memphis defeated Portland 99-93. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Another year of NBA free agency is just about in the books and thanks to truckloads of new television money and a higher salary cap, this was one for the ages. It seemed like franchises were handing out monster contracts to just about anyone who asked and very few players that wanted more money had a problem finding a team that was willing to pay them.

From the DeAndre Jordan‘s flip-flopping to various teams’ pursuit of LaMarcus Aldridge to the fates of Kevin Love and Kawhi Leonard, NBA free agency 2015 wasn’t lacking for drama and pathos, that’s for sure.

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Then you have the Memphis Grizzlies.

If any team in the NBA could be the poster child for boring and ho-hum, it may be the Grizzlies. Memphis has always preferred to do things quietly, not make any waves and instead let their performance on the court do the talking.

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This year was no different as Memphis didn’t make any huge, blockbuster deals except for the one they had to, and even that was a low-profile, subdued type of affair.

Many felt that All-Star center Marc Gasol was one of the biggest–if not the biggest–names that was going to be available in free agency this year. He had averaged 17.4 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks this past season and anchored a Grizzlies’ defense that some consider the best in the league.

There was little doubt that Gasol was going to get a max contract, the question was just who was going to pay it to him.

Turned out it was a non-issue almost from day one. The Grizzlies and Gasol quickly began working out a deal and as word spread that he had no interest in playing anywhere but Memphis, teams decided to not even waste time talking to the 7-foot-1 Spaniard.

In the end Gasol signed a five-year, $113 million deal that would keep him in Memphis presumably until he retires and, in keeping with the Grizzlies’ style, they threw a party at FedExForum for the fans so they could celebrate.

Re-signing Gasol was a must for Memphis, no question about it. The fact they were able to do so and with little or no drama involved speaks volumes about this organization and their front office. What could have easily turned into a zoo, a la LeBron James, was instead a simple case of a player and his team coming to an understanding and getting the job done.

Once the Gasol contract situation was taken care of, the Grizzlies made two other moves that should pay dividends during the 2015-16 season.

The Grizzlies needed to address the imminent departure of backup center Kosta Koufos, who ended up signing with the Sacramento Kings, and so brought in forward/center Brandan Wright. Last season while playing for three different teams, Wright averaged 7.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 75 games and the Grizzlies signed him to a three-year deal worth $18 million.

It was a signing that flew under most people’s radar but the thought of Wright paired with Zach Randolph and Gasol in the Grizzlies’ frontcourt has most thinking Memphis is a much-improved team with the addition of Wright.

The Grizzlies also acquired forward Matt Barnes, whose style of play and toughness should fit right in with the “grit-n-grind” Memphis way of playing basketball.

So how did the Memphis Grizzlies do during free agency? Re-signing Gasol would have been big enough, but the addition of Wright to a team in need of frontcourt depth and a tough role player like Barnes could be enough to help Memphis take that next step and return to the Western Conference Finals and possibly contend for an NBA championship.

Overall I would say the Grizzlies did pretty well. Final Grade: A-

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