Recent Lakers Player Signs With Memphis Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies have made a roster move
Continuing to increase their record number of different players this season, the Memphis Grizzlies announced another new addition to their team on Tuesday. In an official announcement, the Grizzlies stated the following:
“The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team signed guard Zavier Simpson to a second 10-day contract and wing Jack White to a 10-day contract. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.”
As the Grizzlies stated, Simpson has been with the organization already, but has signed a second 10-day contract. The signing of White is new, and the team stated the following on the recent South Bay Lakers wing:
“White (6-7, 225) appeared in 29 games (23 starts) for the South Bay Lakers during the showcase and regular season and averaged 9.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists in 26.2 minutes. Unselected in the 2020 NBA Draft out of Duke, the 26-year-old signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets before the 2022-23 season and appeared in 17 NBA games for the Nuggets and 14 games with the NBA G League’s Grand Rapids Gold. The Victoria, Australia, native played three seasons professionally in the Australian NBL and averaged 9.3 points and 7.1 rebounds in 23.4 minutes for Melbourne United during the 2021-22 season.”
The Grizzlies have already set an NBA record with the number of different players they have used this season.
The Los Angeles Lakers feared Austin Reaves would try to leave in free agency in the summer of 2023. He was restricted, and LA planned to match any offer. Still, it was scary when the Spurs lurked with the possibility of offering $100-plus million, which would feature massive salaries in years three and four. They had interest, but Reaves decided to re-sign with the purple and gold on a bargain deal.
The 25-year-old wing got a four-year $53.8 million contract. He has a player option in 2026 for $14.9 million and makes less than $14 million per season in each of his three guaranteed years. The signing was viewed as a massive win for the Lakers. It is not easy to secure a 6’5 wing, especially one with his potential.
It was already a bargain, but the contract looks even better after the Suns extended Grayson Allen on a four-year $70 million contract on the eve of the postseason. Phoenix had no choice. If he left in free agency, the Suns could only sign a replacement at the minimum, but the move makes the Lakers signing Reaves at a below-market rate even better.
Neither is known for their defense, and Reaves has a more diverse offensive game. The Lakers wing averaged 15.9 points, 5.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 32.1 minutes per game this season. It was not the All-Star leap some hoped, but his ball-handling, playmaking, scoring, and floor spacing were crucial. Allen led the league in 3-point percentage as he averaged 13.5 points, 3.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 33.5 minutes per game.
Both contracts increase. Allen makes more money in year one of his new deal than Reaves makes in any season, including his player option. The Suns wing is the superior shooter, but that is where his advantages end. Phoenix needs floor spacers around Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Allen’s contract may turn into a bargain too, but it makes the Reaves signing look significantly better moving forward.
The Lakers desperately needed him to take less to keep their spending in order as they remain in contention. They are projected to be over the first tax apron next season and may offer LeBron a massive extension this summer.
