A trip to the playoffs has been hard to come by for the Memphis Grizzlies in recent years. They have Rookie of the Year Ja Morant leading them into the 2021 season, but the franchise has made more adjustments to their roster to compete in the jam-packed Western Conference. 

Memphis has never been an ideal destination for free-agents as they’ve hardly signed any top names in the past. Furthermore, they traded future picks to other teams in order to land two-more talents in this year’s draft along with the 40th overall pick they had in hand. 

The Grizzlies selected Desmond Bane from TCU, Xavier Tillman from Michigan State, and then Robert Woodard II from Mississippi State to complete their draft business in 2020. 

Memphis Grizzlies transactions: Players signed via trades and free agency

The Grizzlies weren’t too busy in the free-agent market this offseason. Of course, they made signings but not eye-catching ones. Moreover, Memphis signed talents who went undrafted in 2020, adding to their ever-growing young core. 

They signed Butler University’s Sean McDermott on a two-way contract and followed it up with yet another addition. The team also brought in Gonzaga alum Killian Tillie on a similar contract and the terms of the deal remain undisclosed. 

Trending

Shaq Warns Lakers Locker Room Of Jeanie Buss Game Plan If Darvin Ham & Co Fail Vs Nuggets

April 24, 2024 09:42 PM EDT

Heat Injury Report: Latest On Jimmy Butler, Terry Rozier, Duncan Robinson Ahead of Game 2 vs Celtics

April 24, 2024 02:46 PM EDT

What Happened to Kenny Smith’s Legs? Unfolding the Sad Truth Behind TNT Host’s Dodgy Knees

April 22, 2024 08:05 PM EDT

Joel Embiid Banned By Empire State Building After Dangerous Incident On Court With Mitchell Robinson

April 26, 2024 02:59 AM EDT

“So Rigged”: All Hell Breaks Loose as Jamal Murray Forces LeBron James’ Lakers Into Bitter Embarrassment

April 23, 2024 06:21 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest NBA stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

In addition to it, the team signed yet another free-agent in Jahlil Tripp who also went undrafted in 2020. Tripp was named WCC Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, and the Grizzlies offered him a contract on November 24. 

The Grizzlies also acquired 6’8” Mario Hezonja from the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a three-team trade during the offseason. 

A list of athletes saw their contracts expire with the team during the offseason, and the franchise chose to retain a trio of these players, letting go of the others. 

Jontay Porter became a restricted free-agent and the Grizzlies showed up first and brought him back on a three-year $6 million deal. They also retained 22-year-old guard De’Anthony Melton on a lucrative deal worth $35 million over four years.

The franchise made one last player retainment by luring 6’5” guard John Konchar on a multi-year deal. The Chicago native will earn $9 million in four years as part of the contract.

Players Lost

The Grizzlies lost three free-agents and chose not to bring them back for various reasons. Yuta Watanabe, Anthony Tolliver, and 2017 Draft’s 4th overall pick Josh Jackson are the trio who got shipped out of the franchise in 2020. 

Josh Jackson is reported to have signed with the Detriot Pistons, while Japanese international Yuta Watanabe has joined the Toronto Raptors. 

2021 Memphis Grizzlies Roster

Backcourt

Ja Morant

Grayson Allen

Desmond Bane

Marko Guduric

Mario Hezonja

Dillon Brooks

Tyus Jones

John Konchar

De’Anthony Melton

Jahlil Tripp

Frontcourt

Jonas Valanciunas

Kyle Anderson

Brandon Clarke

Gorgui Dieng

Jaren Jackson Jr.

Sean McDermott

Jontay Porter

Killian Tillie

Xavier Tillman Sr.

Justise Winslow