JaMychal Green finalizing two-year, $17 million deal to re-sign with Memphis Grizzles
By Nick Denning
Memphis Grizzles’ forward JaMychal Green is finalizing a two-year, $17 million deal to re-sign with the team, according to Shams Charania of The Vertical.
Green, 27, spent the past two and a half seasons in Memphis. He was reportedly not close to agreeing on an extension as recently as Tuesday. Earlier this month, the two sides came close to agreeing on a two-year of around $10 million, but talks fell through.
The agreed deal comes just in time, as the sides had until Sunday to hammer out a deal before Green’s qualifying offer became the only option. According to Charania, the deal should play in Green’s favor when he hits free agency in 2019:
"Green worked toward coming to terms on the fully guaranteed two-year deal Wednesday. By closing in on an agreement, Green and the Grizzlies will avoid an Oct. 1 deadline of the $2.8 million qualifying offer. Green will also position himself to return to free agency in the summer of 2019, when the market is expected to be less treacherous than 2018."
Joining the Grizzles in 2015, Green became the team’s starting power forward last season. He averaged 8.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game, shooting a career high 38 percent from the 3-point line.
It was a long road to this position, however. Green went undrafted in 2012, and after spending time overseas and in the NBA G-League, he broke into the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs on a 10-day contract in 2015. The Grizzles signed Green in March 2015 after the Spurs let him go, and Green steadily rose from role player to starter.
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Green provides the Grizzles with perimeter scoring and mid-range shooting. He’s a versatile defender as well, capable of guarding both wings and power forwards. After months of uncertainly this summer, the Grizzles will be happy to have him back.