2018 NBA free agency grades: Grizzlies adding Omri Casspi
The Memphis Grizzlies wasted very little time finding some 3-point shooting on the free agent market, agreeing to a one-year deal with Omri Casspi.
The Memphis Grizzlies have one agreement lined up already. Sharpshooting forward Omri Casspi and the Grizzlies have reportedly come to terms on a deal. The deal is set to be for one year, according to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Casspi joins the Grizzlies after spending time on the Golden State Warriors‘ roster this past season. He was waived before the postseason, but averaged 5.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 53 regular season appearances.
The 30-year-old veteran shot 45.5 percent from 3-point range on 22 3-point attempts. While his presence didn’t exactly stand out on the Warriors, his ability to shoot the 3-ball off the bench could come in handy with Memphis.
The Grizzlies are Casspi’s seventh NBA team since he was drafted 23rd overall in 2009 by the Sacramento Kings. He’s spent time with the Kings, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Through nine seasons in the NBA, Casspi has averaged 8.0 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 45.1 percent from the floor and 36.9 percent from 3-point range. When given the green light, Casspi has the ability to fill it up on offense.
The best season of his career came with Sacramento during the 2015-16 season, when he averaged 11.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game on 40.9 percent shooting from behind the arc. The Kings finished with a 33-49 record during that season, as Casspi finished fifth in scoring on the team. He appeared in 69 games, starting in 21 contests.
Joining the Grizzlies roster
Casspi joins a roster of Marc Gasol, Mike Conley and newly acquired rookies Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jevon Carter. He doesn’t exactly stand out as a star, but he could play a role in improving this team on offense. At 6’9″, he has the length and shooting ability to stretch the floor for Memphis off the bench. He’s not a volume scorer, but teams would be crazy to leave him wide open.
He brings 3-point shooting to a team that shot 35.2 percent (25th in the NBA) in 2017-18. The Grizzlies need to improve on both sides of the basketball, so signing Casspi at least gives them an option on offense.
With a 22-60 record, the Grizzlies were one of two teams that put up less than 100 points per game last season. They put up 99.3 points per game, 29th in the league, slightly ahead of the Sacramento Kings, who averaged 98.8 points per game.
Casspi comes from one of the best offensive teams in the league in the Warriors. After spending a full season there, his confidence is sure to be up there, as is his penchant for playing time. He’ll have an opportunity to prove himself in Memphis, he’ll just need to make the most of it.
The signing isn’t bad considering it will be on a veteran’s minimum deal. Not a bad contract for a 30-year-old shooter like Casspi. They’ll be a young squad, but Casspi adds some veteran experience to the club.
Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Grade: B