On Tuesday, the Memphis Grizzlies were hit with a sledgehammer when it was announced that Ja Morant would need season-ending shoulder surgery.
Suddenly, they have gone from possibly having an outside shot at making the play-in tournament to having absolutely no hope of doing anything successful.
The Grizzlies will have to make some decisions for the near future, and per Adrain Wojnarowski, they’re waiving center Bismack Biyombo.
The Grizzlies are waiving center Bismack Biyombo, sources tell ESPN. He made a good impact with franchise and could be brought back again. Memphis is expected to add another big on a newly available two-way contract. https://t.co/UXe0ybQ01N
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 10, 2024
Biyombo is just 6-foot-8, but at 255 pounds, he does have bulk, and he has historically been a shot-blocking threat.
In 30 games this season, he’s averaging 5.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.1 blocked shots in 23.9 minutes a game, and he could represent a decent pickup for a contending team that is looking for some depth at the 5.
Memphis has big man Jaren Jackson Jr., who could be on his way to another All-Star selection with averages of 21.3 points and 1.8 blocks a game, but their main starting center, Steven Adams, will miss all of this season because of a right knee injury he suffered last season that required surgery.
The team’s future is still bright, but it still needs some help at the wing and forward positions moving forward, and since it is expected to finish with one of the NBA’s worst records, it could end up being able to draft a very good wing or forward this June.
The Grizzlies are currently 14-23, which is the third-worst record in the Western Conference, and despite the excellent play of Jackson and guard Desmond Bane, there is no reason to believe they will improve much this year.
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