2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
Shelvin Mack: 1 year, $2 million (Memphis Grizzlies)
Free agent guard Shelvin Mack is signing a one-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies today, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 7, 2018
No offense to Andrew Harrison or defensive-minded rookie Jevon Carter, but a Memphis Grizzlies team that seems hell-bent on returning to the playoffs needed a bit more experience and stability at the point guard position behind Mike Conley Jr.
Adding Shelvin Mack on a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum accomplishes that, and will be even bigger down the road if the injury-prone Conley struggles to stay on the floor again in 2018-19. Mack isn’t a starting-caliber point guard in this league by any means, but he’s an effective stopgap as a backup.
Last season in 69 games with the Magic, Mack averaged a serviceable 6.9 points and 3.9 assists in his 19.8 minutes per game. He’s not an efficient 3-point shooter, facilitator or scorer, but coming off the bench, he should fill his role well enough.
Bourguet Grade: B-
Hoops Habit Grade: B