Hoops Habit
Fansided

Memphis Grizzlies: 5 biggest errors by GM Chris Wallace

By Jake Peterson

MEMPHIS, TN - SEPTEMBER 17: Chris Wallace, General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, helps introduce new players during a press conference on September 17, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - SEPTEMBER 17: Chris Wallace, General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, helps introduce new players during a press conference on September 17, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

General manager Chris Wallace has been with the Memphis Grizzlies for over a decade now and has been responsible for some very puzzling moves.

With the Memphis Grizzlies‘ season getting more and more depressing with each passing day, it’s time to continue aboard the “sad train” and look back at more Grizzlies folly.

General manager Chris Wallace has been with the Grizzlies since 2007, when he was hired to replace The Logo, Jerry West, as the team’s president. Wallace’s role with the team has fluctuated over the years, but his presence with the team still remains constant.

Wallace did preside over the most successful era in Grizzlies’ history, seeing them reach the playoffs for seven straight years and going as far as the Western Conference Finals, all with one of the smallest markets in the entire league.

Wallace’s tenure did not start out on a positive note, as he traded away then franchise centerpiece Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2008. The move was slammed by many as a cash-saving move and a bizarre ploy to help the Lakers. Safe to say, the Chris Wallace era did not start out smoothly.

But the trade laid the groundwork for what the franchise would become. The Grizzlies bottomed out, landed fourth in the draft and selected Mike Conley. That same trade brought in Pau’s younger bother, Marc Gasol, who had yet to play an NBA minute. Both of these players turned out to be the greatest players in Grizzlies history and their numbers will certainly hang in the rafters one day.

But, much else of Chris Wallace’s time at the reins has been a giant dud. Conley, drafted in 2008, has been the only Grizzlies player to stay with the team after his rookie contract. Bizarre trades and bad free agent signings have dug the Grizzlies to the team they are now — one without a clear direction.

Take a look at the Memphis Grizzlies subreddit, where Fire Chris Wallace threads pop up every day. It’s safe to say that fans are displeased with the direction of the team. Let’s have a look back at Chris Wallace’s worst five moves with the team.

Home/Memphis Grizzlies