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Timberwolves Free Agency: Memphis Grizzlies Edition

By Ben Beecken

Feb 4, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) controls the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) defends during the first quarter at Target Center. The Grizzlies won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Vince Carter (15) controls the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) defends during the first quarter at Target Center. The Grizzlies won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 4, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green (0) reacts during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Grizzlies won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward JaMychal Green (0) reacts during the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Grizzlies won 107-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

JaMychal Green

It’s always difficult to have a good sense for what pending restricted free agents will be worth on the open market, but it would seem to be especially tough in the case of JaMychal Green.

Green was an undrafted free agent who went the San Antonio Spurs route — more accurately, the Austin Toros route via the NBA D-League. Green played in just four games for the Spurs back in 2014-15 before signing with the Grizzlies.

In 2015-16, Green became a rotation mainstay, averaging 18.5 minutes per game over 78 contests. This season, however, he was a crucial part of David Fizdale’s starting unit, being announced with the starters in 75 of the 77 games in which he played.

While Green only averaged 8.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, his 21.1 percent rebounding rate was key for the Grizzlies. While there is plenty of offensive game yet to develop for Green, he’s a solid team defender and an above-average rebounder.

Verdict: It’s tough to see a fit with the Timberwolves if only because there are some obvious redundancies with Gorgui Dieng. He won’t get paid quite like Dieng did last off-season, but there is certainly still some upside with Green, even if it won’t be in Minnesota.