The San Antonio Spurs could lose a different small forward this offseason as Kyle Anderson signs an offer sheet with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Memphis Grizzlies are hoping to get back to a little grit-and-grind by stealing Kyle Anderson from the San Antonio Spurs. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Anderson has signed a four-year, $37.2 million offer sheet with the Grizzlies. The San Antonio Spurs have 48 hours to match.
The 24-year-old forward played in 74 games for the Spurs last season, averaging a career high 7.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists. His a solid team and on-ball defender, but his three-point percentage went from 37 percent in 2016-17 to 33 percent in 2017-18.
The Grizzlies lost their defensive identity last season with the departures of Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, coupled with an early season injury to Mike Conley. Anderson would help them get back to their defensive peskiness, but he doesn’t offer much offensive upside.
It’s been a troubling couple of weeks for the usually buttoned up Spurs. The Kawhi Leonard saga appears to have no end in sight. Friday afternoon, longtime point guard Tony Parker moved on after 17 years with the organization to sign with the Charlotte Hornets.
Anderson filled in for Leonard as the starting small forward for the majority of the season. If the Spurs don’t match and end up trading Leonard, they’ll need a new small forward from somewhere. Brandon Ingram, who the Spurs are insistent on getting in any potential Leonard to the Lakers deal, would be their ideal replacement.
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Of course, the Spurs could always match this deal and keep Anderson around. While he’s limited on offense, he fits their defensive system. Last offseason, they allowed Jonathon Simmons to walk after he signed an offer sheet with the Orlando Magic. With the way this offseason has gone, Gregg Popovich may not recognize anyone come training camp.