6:05pm: The Grizzlies have officially signed Green, the team announced today in a press release.
12:49pm: The final restricted free agent of 2017 is nearing a deal that will take him off the market, reports Shams Charania of The Vertical. According to Charania, the Grizzlies and RFA forward JaMychal Green are finalizing a fully guaranteed two-year, $17MM+ agreement. The deal will include bonuses, tweets Ronald Tillery of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Green, 27, enjoyed a breakout season for the Grizzlies in 2016/17 after taking over for Zach Randolph as the club’s starting power forward. Green established new career highs in several categories, including PPG (8.9), RPG (7.1), FG% (.500), and 3PT% (.379).
As a three-year NBA veteran, Green received a qualifying offer from the Grizzlies in June to make him a restricted free agent, but struggled to finalize a deal on the open market. Comments made by agent Michael Hodges early in July indicated that his client might be unlikely to return to Memphis — Hodges said at the time that he was looking at offer sheets and possible sign-and-trade scenarios, suggesting that the Grizzlies were going in a different direction.
However, those rumored offer sheets or sign-and-trades never materialized, leaving a return to Memphis as the most logical outcome to Green’s restricted free agency, particularly after Randolph left the Grizzlies for the Kings. Reports earlier this month had stated that resolution on Green’s situation was expected soon, with a short-term deal considered likely.
Once they officially lock up Green, the Grizzlies will have 16 players on guaranteed salaries under contract. Jarell Martin is expected to be the odd man out, barring a last-minute change of plans. Tillery reported this week that Martin has been informed he’ll be waived, but was given the opportunity to remain with the Grizzlies in camp as an opportunity to showcase himself for potential suitors.
With Randolph and Martin no longer in the picture up front, youngsters Deyonta Davis and Ivan Rabb may see some action backing up Green at the four this season.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
That signing should usher Memphis to playoff contention– and make Marc Gasol not available.
Gasol was unavailable regardless of Green signing. He and Conley are who the team is built around, and despite what some believe, he will not be shopped while the team goes through this “transition” in playing style.
He may not be shopped, but from the other end, Gasol may not like the faster style and less secure roster.
But, the talent is there now, and the style might come down to whatever gets the most from Tyreke Evans, a possible difference-maker.
As long as they’re winning, Gasol stays, and they should still win IMO.