Memphis Grizzlies: Previewing the 2020 offseason
By Ethan Becker
Memphis Grizzlies’ expiring contracts
Memphis has a few expiring contracts to take a look at this offseason, but the two they will definitely need to make moves for are Josh Jackson and De’Anthony Melton.
Josh Jackson was a truly feel good story last season for the Memphis Grizzlies. Someone who had all the potential in the world, was selected fourth overall in the 2017 draft by the Phoenix Suns, and who had a few good seasons which were derailed by off-court problems. Phoenix dumped him over personality concerns, and for a lot of players, that could have been the end of their run.
But not Jackson. Instead, after being traded to Memphis, he went down to the Memphis Hustle G League team, and absolutely shone; he averaged 20.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the field, 38.0 percent from 3, and 60.3 percent from the line. Jackson’s defensive ability will certainly help the Grizzlies, who found themselves in the dead center of the pack as far as defense was concerned.
Melton is another player who, while he may struggle on the offensive side of the ball, would help Memphis defensively. While Melton’s 3-point struggles may be enough to sway a Memphis squad who already struggle to hit 3’s (23rd in the league in 2019-2020), his 1.3 steals per game makes him an interesting enough prospect to risk another year or two on.
The Grizzlies’ other expiring contracts include Jontay Porter (with a club option), Yuta Watanabe, John Konchar, and Shaq Buchanan.
Among those expiring contracts, and possibly the most interesting story, is Anthony Tolliver. Tolliver was not a member of the Grizzlies to begin the 2019-2020 NBA season, but was one of the players that Memphis signed as an injury/sitout replacement player before moving to the Orlando bubble. After averaging 4.8 points and 2.5 rebounds per game with Memphis, while shooting 41.5 percent from 3-point range, will his play be enough to earn him another contract, or will Tolliver be looking for his 11th team in 13 seasons?