The Memphis Grizzlies keep adding pieces as their roster overhaul rolls on, and the latest moves bring both another guard and a new frontcourt option into the mix.
Memphis has agreed to take on D'Angelo Russell in a six-team deal with the Washington Wizards, who are sending Russell, a future second-round pick and a future second-round pick swap to the Grizzlies, sources told ESPN. The move gives Zach Kleiman yet another asset to work with while also adding more draft capital to a stash that already looks plenty crowded.
That crowd is the real story in Memphis right now. The Grizzlies already have Ty Jerome, Scotty Pippen Jr., AJ Johnson, Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson, Cam Spencer, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Clayton in the backcourt mix heading into training camp. Jaylen Wells, Ty Jerome and GG Jackson are viewed as locks to make the roster and play significant roles in the rotation, while the rest of the guards are fighting for a limited number of spots.
With 21 players currently under contract and only 15 standard roster spots available, Memphis is staring at a busy stretch of roster trimming before the regular season. That sets up what could be one of the team’s most competitive training camps in years. Russell is among the players who could eventually be waived-and-stretched or bought out.
The Grizzlies also got a boost on Quinten Post, who is heading to Memphis on a three-year, $30 million deal after the Golden State Warriors decided not to match the offer sheet. The 26-year-old 7-footer started 35 games last season and averaged 7.7 points and 4.0 rebounds. His game comes with real spacing value, too: Post attempted 277 3-pointers last season and made 93 of them, good for 33.6 percent, and he shot 40.8 percent from deep as a rookie.
Post gives Memphis another scoring option in the frontcourt and more floor spacing around a reshaped group that includes No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer and Zach Edey.
For now, the Grizzlies’ rebuild looks officially in motion. The next challenge is turning all these new pieces into something coherent, while also getting the roster down to the required number before the season starts. Zach Kleiman clearly isn’t done yet.
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