Memphis Grizzlies: Complete 2018 offseason grades
By Tim Maclean
Poaching Kyle Anderson
Kyle Anderson’s deliberate nature on the court is something that should fit well in Memphis. Despite coaching changes, the Grizzlies have consistently ranked among the bottom five teams in pace in each of the last six seasons, and it doesn’t seem like that’s changing anytime soon.
Bickerstaff confirmed as much in June when talking to The Commercial Appeal:
"“Why try to copycat and be like everybody else? I think it’s the mentality that we have right now. Everywhere you look around the league, people are chasing the Golden States, they’re chasing the Houstons, so why can’t we be different? Why can’t we be unique? Why can’t we be so good at what we do that teams have a hard time when they come and see us? I think that’s what the strength of this team has been."
Though outdated, it’s hard to argue with Memphis doubling down on this style of play. The team has had success with it during the Mike Conley-Marc Gasol era and, if both are healthy, Anderson could end up helping as an ancillary option and secondary ball-handler.
As Conley makes his way back from heel surgery, it might behoove the Grizzlies to play him off the ball a little bit more as he gets his legs underneath him. Having Anderson in the lineup will allow them to do that, where he’ll be able to help run the offense and put Conley in positions to be a spot-up shooter. In his last fully healthy season, 2016-17, Conley was outstanding on catch-and-shoot 3s, knocking down 45.6 percent of his 2.3 attempts per game, according to NBA.com.
Memphis will also have a ton of options in the pick-and-roll. Whether it’s Anderson, Gasol or Jackson, the Grizzlies will have a handful of players that will be able to pop for jumpers, roll for layups, and make quick-hit passes out of the short roll that should really add variety to the offense.
Perhaps more importantly, Anderson will add immediate value on the defensive end. At 6’9″, he has the size and length to disrupt on the perimeter, where he ranked in the top 20 in deflections per game (2.5) last season and finished tied for fifth in steals (1.6 per game).
At the price point of $37.2 million over four years, Memphis got a nice addition in Anderson.
Grade: B