MEMPHIS – The Grizzlies entered an opportunistic May – the first full month of
their offseason – with significant traction toward addressing some of the
biggest questions looming over the franchise.
They’ve already resolved the ownership issue, with Robert Pera maintaining
controlling interest in the franchise and a commitment to keeping the Grizzlies
in Memphis.
They’ve already conducted exit interviews, with key players, veterans and young
prospects set to distance themselves from a 22-60 season and embark on a summer
of healing, conditioning, development and improvement in hopes of a return to
playoff contention.
And they’re also solidifying a front-office plan that included formalizing a
multi-year contract this week to retain J.B. Bickerstaff as head coach. Now, the
Grizzlies are just days away from learning their fate in the May 15 draft
lottery, where they are assured of a top-five pick in the June 21 NBA Draft as
well as the No. 32 overall pick in the second round.
Expect the Grizzlies to be active in league-wide trade discussions surrounding
the draft and July free agency, with key decisions looming on several of their
own players.
So after covering the coaching situation, returning roster veterans and
young/developing assets the past few weeks in Grind City Media’s ‘Offseason
Outlook,’ we continue with my personal analysis of the Grizzlies’ pending free
agents and veterans set to enter expiring contracts.
Player: Andrew Harrison, 23
Measurables: 6-6, 213 – 2nd NBA Season
2017-18 Stats: 9.5ppg, 2.3rpg, 3.2apg in 23.7mpg, shot 33.1% on threes this
season (all career highs).
Status: Due $1.5 million ($200K guaranteed) on team option for 2018-19 in final
year of three-year deal.
After finishing last in the NBA in effective FG shooting percentage (38.5%)
among players with at least 300 attempts, Harrison’s shooting increased by
nearly 10 percentage points (47.7%) this season.
The modest numbers this season don’t do Harrison justice. This was a
breakthrough season for a prospect who represents the best of the Grizzlies’
development process. Harrison is a slow burner, from being a second round pick
in 2015 and spending an entire season in the development league to then toiling
through the worst shooting season in the NBA as a rookie in 2016-17. At 6-6 and
a solid 213 pounds, Harrison plays both guard positions and is a tough defender
at all three perimeter spots. Drastic improvement in his offensive game restored
confidence that he finally can be a serviceable backup to Conley at point guard.
February’s season-high production saw Harrison average 15.6 points, 4.5 assists
and 3.0 rebounds while shooting 47.4-percent overall and 40.5-percent on
three-pointers in 10 games.
Even during his most encouraging stretches, Harrison couldn’t avoid the injury
bug that chewed through most of the team this season. He missed a total of 26
games, including the final two weeks of the season with recurring shoulder and
wrist problems. Some of that time off was to be extra cautious at the end of the
season, but it still stunted some valuable growth opportunities. Wild
inconsistencies remain an issue, but Harrison had more than a few stretches in
games when he took over and made a case for being the best player on the court.
Then, puzzling and frustrating lapses often followed to the point when he kicked
a door open and stormed out of the locker room in the aftermath of a February
loss in Atlanta after coach J.B. Bickerstaff unloaded on him for the Jekyll and
Hyde routine.
Barring a blockbuster trade that would force a seismic roster shift this
offseason, it would be surprising if the Grizzlies don’t pick up the team option
on Harrison’s contract. The $200,000 partial guarantee provides a bit of a
hedge, but as Harrison said in exit interviews, he’s earned a spot moving
forward. Exactly where that spot falls in the rotation will depend on several
factors, including whether Tyreke Evans returns in free agency. General manager
Chris Wallace said late in the season he felt comfortable with where the backup
point guard position stood if healthy. Aside from rookie Dillon Brooks, probably
no other player on the roster garnered more hands-on attention and development
from Bickerstaff than Harrison. That investment should finally pay off for
Harrison and the Grizzlies.
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Memphis
Grizzlies. All opinions expressed by Michael Wallace are solely his own and do
not reflect the opinions of the Memphis Grizzlies or its Basketball Operations
staff, owners, parent companies, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known
to the Memphis Grizzlies and he has no special access to information beyond the
access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the
media.
Player: Andrew Harrison
Media Content:
http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grind-city-media/mikecheck-grizzlies-offseason-
outlook-andrew-harrison-180507
Media Keywords: NBA, Sports, Memphis Grizzlies, Andrew Harrison, Memphis
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Taxonomy: MikeCheck, Grind City Media, Michael Wallace, Offseason Outlook
Story Link:
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outlook-andrew-harrison-180507
