The Memphis Grizzlies are reportedly torn between veteran Zach Randolph and up-and-coming forward Jamychal Green heading into the NBA free-agency season. Michael Wallace of Grind City Media believes the Grizz front office has to decide what direction they are going to take: Will they stick with the veteran and franchise’s legend? Or officially embrace a new blood at the power forward spot?
Green bound more greens this off-season
After putting up a terrific 2016/17 season where he averaged 8.9 ppg and 7.1 rpg in 27 minutes of play with the Grizzlies, the undrafted forward out of Alabama is in a position to get a significant raise next season.
According to Wallace, it won’t be surprising if Green receives a four-year, $50MM offer sheet because of his exploits last season.
The 26-year old Green is listed no.12 by USA Today among free-agent power forwards this summer. He’s considered a hot commodity in today’s NBA because of his ability to knock down 3-point shots at 37.9 percent clip and his versatility in guarding 3 to 4 positions.
And while the Grizzlies can retain his service by matching any offer sheet from other teams, allowing Green to hit the free-agency market as a restricted free-agent will tempt cap-rich temps like the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets to place an offer hard to match. But before trying to lock up Green to a massive deal, the Grizz front office will first have to make a decision on the future of Randolph, who once again put up great numbers off the bench with 14.1 ppg and 8.2 rpg at age 35.
“Zach Randolph, replaced by Green as the starter, is No. 7 on that same list. The Grizzlies, Green and Randolph admirably dealt with a delicate role swap this past season. As both players enter Free Agency, there appears no way to tip-toe around what inevitably may be an either-or choice for the franchise,” Wallace noted.
Parsons permanent move to power forward
In a separate piece, Wallace explored the idea of Chandler Parsons permanently occupying the power forward spot next seasons. With Randolph and Green’s future in Memphis currently hanging in the balance in free-agency, Parsons moving to the power forward spot would be a welcome development to David Frizdale’s system.
Wallace believes Parsons’ future is in the four position because of his ability to draw his defender all the way to the three-point line, creating space for resident banger Marc Gasol to operate down low. After signing a four-year, $94 million deal with the Grizz, Parsons only played in 35 regular-season games during the 2016/17 season, averaging 6.2 points on 33.8 percent shooting from the field and 26.9 percent from beyond the arc.
