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Marcus Smart Report: Marcus Smart headed to Memphis via trade
Wed, Jun 21, 2023, 11:07 PM
Shams Charania on Twitter
According to multiple reports, Marcus Smart has been traded to the Grizzlies as part of a three-team trade between Memphis, Boston, and Washington.
Analysis: Washington and the Celtics were working on completing a trade that would get Kristaps Porzingis to Boston, but the initially reported deal fell through due to the Clippers' concerns regarding Malcolm Brogdon's forearm injury. Up stepped Memphis, which sent Tyus Jones to Washington in this deal. Smart's move to Memphis is a big one for the franchise, which was looking to add playoff experience and professionalism to its roster. He'll be a key figure for the Grizzlies, especially with Ja Morant being suspended for the first 25 games of next season. While he finished this season ranked just outside the top 100 in 9-cat, per-game value, the move to Memphis should give Smart a boost. That said, this is a significant change for the Grizzlies and Celtics. |
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Tyus Jones Report: Grizzlies exploring trades for Tyus Jones
Tue, Jun 20, 2023, 10:36 AM
Jake Fischer on Twitter
The Memphis Grizzlies are exploring trade opportunities to help Tyus Jones land a full-time starting position elsewhere, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Analysis: Tyus Jones proved to be a valuable piece for the Grizzlies last season as both a key cog off the bench as well as a starter during Ja Morant's absences due to injury/suspension. The eight-year veteran out of Duke posted career highs points, assists, rebounds and minutes played last season. Jones has one year left on his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent next offseason. |
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Ja Morant NBPA âunhappyâ with length of Morantâs suspension
Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 2:03 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
The National Basketball Playerâs Association is âunhappyâ with the length of Ja Morantâs suspension, according to statement made by Executive Director Tamika Tremaglio.
Analysis: Tremaglio called the 25-game suspension and conditions for Morantâs return âexcessive and inappropriateâ. Ja was handed the suspension after being seen on Instagram Live with a firearm just months after being seen with a gun in a club following a game in Denver. Morant issued an apology, and it doesnât seem like heâll appeal the ruling. However, if the NBPA is truly unhappy like their statement says, they could try and get his suspension reduced, if the rules allow them to. |
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Ja Morant Ja Morant to serve 25-game suspension
Fri, Jun 16, 2023, 10:07 AM
NBA PR
The NBA announced Friday that Ja Morant will serve a 25-game suspension without pay for conduct detrimental to the league.
Analysis: The suspension the NBA world was on pins and needles waiting for has finally dropped. Contrary to what many thought would happen, the "book" was not thrown at Morant and instead he will serve a 25-game suspension. Ja will also be required to meet certain conditions before returning to play. The Grizzlies superstar was suspended from all team activities in May after flashing a gun on an Instagram Live video while in the passenger seat of car. The 25-game suspension will also make Morant ineligible for seasonal awards such as MVP and All-NBA honors. |
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Ja Morant Report: Cops execute 'wellness check' on Ja Morant
Wed, May 24, 2023, 2:07 PM
TMZ Sports
According to TMZ Sports, Shelby County Sheriff's Department officers executed a wellness check on Ja Morant on Wednesday.
Analysis: The check occurred after Morant sent a cryptic message via his Instagram account. Per reports, he sent out messages of love to his mother, father, and daughter before ending it with the word "bye." The post would be deleted shortly thereafter, with Morant telling officers who visited his home that he was simply deactivating his social media accounts. Hopefully, everything is fine with Morant, who was seen brandishing a gun on an Instagram live video earlier this month for the second time in three months. While the first offense, which occurred in a Colorado strip club, resulted in Morant being suspended for eight games, the expectation is that he faces a far lengthier ban this time around. |
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Ja Morant Ja Morant suspended from all team activities
Sun, May 14, 2023, 10:49 AM
Grizzlies PR on Twitter
The Grizzlies announced Sunday morning that Ja Morant has been suspended from all team activities due to an investigation into him flashing a gun in another social media video.
Analysis: Here we go again. After being suspended in March due to his flashing a gun in an Instagram Live video while in a Colorado strip club, Morant finds himself in hot water again. A recent Instagram Live video shows him flashing a gun while in the passenger seat of a friend's car. While the legalities of possessing a firearm are certain to be discussed in the aftermath of Morant's most recent social media post, the Grizzlies have not hesitated to suspend their starting point guard from all team activities pending league review of the video. |
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Dillon Brooks NBA All-Defensive Second Team sees three newcomers
Tue, May 9, 2023, 2:03 PM
NBA Communications
Dillon Brooks, Bam Adebayo, Draymond Green, Derrick White and O.G. Anunoby named to NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Analysis: Despite the antics, quotes and unceremonious departure in the playoffs, Dillon Brooks will leave the 2022-23 season as a member of an All-Defensive team. Brooks secured 46 second-team votes to notch his first all-defensive team selection. Even with receiving the least number of votes of anyone that made an All-defensive team this year, Bam Adebayo now has four All-defensive team selections under his belt. The Celtics' Derrick White had 24 first-team votes and 51 second-team votes. With his selection to the second-team, Draymond Green now has eight total NBA All-Defensive selections. |
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Jaren Jackson Jackson Jr headlines NBA All-defensive First Team
Tue, May 9, 2023, 1:47 PM
Royce Young on Twitter
Jaren Jackson Jr, Jrue Holiday, Brook Lopez, Evan Mobley and Alex Caruso named to NBA All-Defensive first-team.
Analysis: This year's DPOY Jaren Jackson Jr commanded the voting along with Jrue Holiday both of whom received 96 and 94 first team votes respectively. For Jrue this marks his third NBA all-defensive first-team selection, while JJJ received his second first-team nod. Holiday's teammate in Milwaukee Brook Lopez received the third most first-team votes (85). For Evan Mobley and Alex Caruso, this was their first All-defensive team selection. Mobley received 49 first-team votes while Caruso pulled in an even 50. |
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Dillon Brooks NBA GM: Dillon Brooks will have suitors in summer
Wed, May 3, 2023, 2:11 PM
Heavy.com
An anonymous general manager told Heavy's Sean Deveney that Dillon Brooks will be "in demand" as a free agent this summer.
Analysis: Brooks' 2022-23 season was rough, capped by his poor performance in the Grizzlies' first-round series against the Lakers. With it being reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic that the Grizzlies informed Brooks during his exit meeting that he will not be brought back "under any circumstances," there was no shortage of jokes regarding his next destination. However, at least one general manager believes that Brooks won't lack options come July. "There will be tax teams hoping to get him in on a one-plus-one (one year with a player option for a second) deal??"come to us, we have a good culture, help us win, clean up your reputation, and then go back on the market next year,â the GM told Deveney. âHeâll be in demand." Brooks wasn't a good fantasy option this season, and the questions regarding his next stop make it difficult to project his value for 2023-24. |
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Dillon Brooks Shams: Memphis not bringing back Dillon Brooks
Tue, May 2, 2023, 11:11 AM
Shams Charania on Twitter
The Grizzlies have informed Dillon Brooks that they will not bring him back âunder any circumstancesâ, according to The Athleticâs Shams Charania.
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Santi Aldama Say no more: Santi leads MEM in scoring in rout
Sat, Apr 29, 2023, 12:37 AM
Santi Aldama contributed 16 points on 6-of-10 shooting and added five rebounds and two triples Friday in a 125-85 loss to the Lakers.
Analysis: Aldama led the bench in minutes played with 29, taking advantage of Memphisâ massive deficit in the Game 6 elimination. Aldama surprisingly led the Grizzlies in scoring, and that fact alone should tell you all you need to know about how this game went for the visiting team. Aldamaâs minutes nearly doubled from his rookie campaign to Year 2, and he played a key role off the bench for the Grizzlies in the regular season, setting a number of career highs across multiple categories. Heâll look to build on the encouraging season in 2023-24. |
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Ja Morant Ja Morant stinks it up as Grizz get obliterated
Sat, Apr 29, 2023, 12:32 AM
Ja Morant finished Fridayâs 40-point loss with 10 points, six assists, five rebounds, three steals and two triples.
Analysis: Morant and Co. were cooked from whistle to whistle, as the Lakers built an 11-point first-quarter lead and never looked back. Morant wasnât the only one to blame for the humiliating defeat, but he was a team-worst -31 in the final box score and shot a horrendous 3-of-16 from the field. Fresh off a 31/10/7 line in Game 5 and a comfortable win over Los Angeles, this certainly wasnât the time for Morant to fall back to earth. Despite the early exit in the playoffs as the higher seed, Morantâs regular season was superb, as he set career highs in rebounds (5.9) and assists (8.1) while scoring 26.2 points per game to go with 1.1 steals and 1.5 triples. Heâll be a consensus top-30 pick in 2023-24 fantasy drafts. |
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Luke Kennard Luke Kennard (shoulder) ruled out Friday vs. LAL
Fri, Apr 28, 2023, 8:35 PM
Chris Haynes on Twitter
Luke Kennard is out for Friday's tilt with the Lakers due to left shoulder soreness.
Analysis: Kennard has averaged 21.4 minutes, 7.2 points and 1.6 triples in this series, and John Konchar should see some extra minutes in his absence. |
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Luke Kennard Luke Kennard (shoulder) questionable for Game 6
Thu, Apr 27, 2023, 7:03 PM
Memphis Grizzlies PR on Twitter
Luke Kennard (left shoulder soreness) is questionable to play in Game 6 against the Lakers on Friday.
Analysis: Kennard exited early from Game 5 due to this shoulder injury, and it may hold him out of Game 6. Kennard hasn't made a huge impact on this series, but his absence would likely force John Konchar to play a larger role off the bench. |
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Ja Morant Ja Morant posts 31/10/7/1 line in Game 5 victory
Wed, Apr 26, 2023, 9:27 PM
Ja Morant shot 13-of-26 from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line in Wednesday's 116-99 win over the Lakers, tallying 31 points (13-of-26 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), 10 rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and two 3-pointers in 38 minutes.
Analysis: After struggling in the Grizzlies' Game 4 loss to the Lakers, Morant was far better in Game 5 as he and his teammates staved off elimination. The injured right hand remains an issue, but as was the case down the stretch in Game 3, Morant is more than capable of going off. Memphis will need more of the same in Game 6 on Friday, as they need a win to extend the series to a seventh game. |
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Desmond Bane Desmond Bane continues to shine, scores 33 in Gm 5
Wed, Apr 26, 2023, 9:17 PM
Desmond Bane finished Memphis' 116-99 win over the Lakers on Wednesday with 33 points (12-of-21 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 10 rebounds, five assists, and four 3-pointers in 43 minutes.
Analysis: Bane has been one of the few constants for the Grizzlies in this series, scoring 22 points or more in three of the five games. In addition to the offensive production, he was one of three Grizzlies (Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr.) to grab 10 rebounds on the night. Jackson supplemented his 10 boards with 18 points, one steal, two blocks, and two 3-pointers in 38 minutes, shooting 5-of-11 from the field and 6-of-6 from the foul line. Given Morant's hand injury and the poor play of Dillon Brooks, Memphis needs Bane to continue on this current run. Game 6 is scheduled for Friday night in Los Angeles, with the Grizzlies looking to force a Game 7. |
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Luke Kennard Luke Kennard sidelined by left shoulder injury
Wed, Apr 26, 2023, 9:09 PM
Grizzlies PR on Twitter
Luke Kennard had to exit Wednesday's 116-99 win over the Lakers during the fourth quarter with a left shoulder injury.
Analysis: Kennard played 16 minutes in Memphis' Game 5 victory, shooting 2-of-3 from beyond the arc and finishing with six points, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Given how poor Dillon Brooks has played in the series, the Grizzlies can't afford to lose Kennard for Friday's Game 6 in Los Angeles. Should he have to miss time, that would free up additional minutes for John Konchar off the bench. |
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Jake LaRavia Jake LaRavia (right calf) out for Game 5 Wednesday
Tue, Apr 25, 2023, 5:02 PM
Grizzlies PR on Twitter
Jake LaRavia (right calf soreness) will not be available for Wednesday's game against the Lakers.
Analysis: LaRavia has yet to appear in a game in this series, and that will not change on Wednesday. His continued absence will not impact the Grizzlies' rotation. |
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Ja Morant Ja Morant scores 19 but struggles with shot Monday
Tue, Apr 25, 2023, 1:02 AM
Ja Morant finished Monday's 117-111 overtime loss to the Lakers with 19 points (8-of-24 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), four rebounds, seven assists, three steals, one block, and one 3-pointer in 44 minutes.
Analysis: Morant shot 50% from the field and 60% from three in Saturday's Game 3 defeat, his first game back from a right hand injury. The thinking then was that he was back on track offensively, despite still dealing with pain in his shooting hand. Morant had a tough night in Game 4, shooting 33.3% from the field and 50% from the foul line. While he continued to play aggressively, Morant's clearly still dealing with the injury. And he took another hard fall on his hand during Game 4. He'll obviously be on the court for Wednesday's Game 5, which the Grizzlies will need to win to extend their season. |
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Desmond Bane Desmond Bane scores game-high 36 in Game 4 loss
Tue, Apr 25, 2023, 12:51 AM
Desmond Bane shot 13-of-29 from the field and 7-of-7 from the foul line in Monday's 117-111 loss to the Lakers, scoring 36 points with seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers in 47 minutes.
Analysis: After shooting 12-of-36 from the field in the first two games of the series, Bane was more accurate in Games 3 and 4. Not only did his 36 points lead the team on Monday, but he was the only Grizzlies player to score at least 20. Dillon Brooks (11/5/4 with one 3-pointer) continues to offer little offensively, while Jaren Jackson Jr. (14/14/1/0/5) shot 5-of-15 from the field. Memphis heads back home for Game 5 on Wednesday, and they'll need a win to keep their season alive. |
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