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: MarShon Brooks, 29
Measurables: 6-5, 200 – 4th NBA Season
2017-18 Stats: 20.1ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.6apg in 27.5mpg, shot 50% from field overall
and 59.4% on threes.
Status: Due $1.7 million for 2018-19 salary in second season of a two-year deal
signed last month.
Brooks scored the most points (70) in franchise history for a player through his
first three games. He also joined Lorenzen Wright (2001-02) as the only
Grizzlies’ players to average at least 20 points over their first three
contests.
When Chris Wallace contacted Brooks in March after the 2011 NBA first-round pick
returned from his third consecutive season playing in China, the Grizzlies’
general manager said he was looking to add someone to the roster who could score
consistently without dominating the office. Brooks not only convinced Wallace
that he found the right man for the job, he then went out and quickly executed
the request. Through his first two games on a 10-day contract, Brooks poured in
45 points in 39 minutes on catch-and-shoot jumpers and quick moves off the
dribble. It was the Grizzlies’ own version of ‘Linsanity,’ but at the end of a
largely disappointing season. The sample size is extremely small, but in seven
games Brooks showed he can be a quality scorer and facilitator that’s worth a
much longer look next season.
Brooks’ prolific pace tailed off the final three games after teams developed a
scouting report on him. During that stretch, he shot barely 40-percent from the
field and committed nine turnovers. At age 29, Brooks isn’t quite a
developmental project. He sort of is what he is, and there are legit questions
as to whether he can carry the spark provided at the end of the season into the
start of next season alongside a healthy Mike Conley and Marc Gasol. Brooks had
his moments as a defender, averaging 1.6 steals and neutralizing some opposing
wing scorers in his seven games. But can he buy into a lesser role in a more
stable and experienced rotation? Brooks insists he’s learned in his four years
out of the league how to appreciate every minute he now gets on an NBA floor. He
may force tough decisions to be made.
Here’s one thing we already know about Brooks: he’s a low-risk, high-reward
investment for the Grizzlies. He’s a shooter who can potentially play off the
ball alongside Conley, and also handles adequately enough to run occasional
offense. Brooks is a luxury in a deep guard rotation that could use some
clarity, with Ben McLemore, Andrew Harrison, Wayne Selden and Dillon Brooks in
tow. If Tyreke Evans returns in free agency, that’s another frontline rotation
player in the mix. At worst, Brooks is insurance and an encouraging stopgap if
there’s any attrition via trades and/or free agency. And at best, he stands to
be a remarkable find as a motivated player, determined to reestablish his NBA
career on a Grizzlies’ team that can use his streak shooting, perimeter length
and veteran savvy in a solid backcourt.
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: MarShon Brooks
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outlook-marshon-brooks-180504
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Taxonomy: MikeCheck, Grind City Media, Michael Wallace, Offseason Outlook
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outlook-marshon-brooks-180504
