The Memphis Grizzlies made sure the door hit Dillon Brooks on the way out after a disappointing first-round exit.
Dillon Brooks became the latest NBA player to challenge LeBron James and lose. The Grizzlies would rather not wait around and find out what happens next.
Memphis has informed Brooks that “under no circumstances” will he be brought back into the fold. It’s a hilarious turn of events that few of us could have predicted at the start of the NBA Playoffs.
While a loss to James and Lakers is nothing for the Grizz to be ashamed about, the way Brooks handled himself was unprofessional. Namely, he refused to meet with the media on several occasions after calling LeBron out.
The Memphis Grizzlies have informed pending free agent Dillon Brooks that he will not be brought back under any circumstances, league sources say.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 2, 2023
Full story and details at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/CRztYTgYi7
Brooks referred to LBJ as “old” and “tired”, while also suggesting he didn’t have much left in the tank. That did not end well for the former Oregon Ducks star, who will now find himself on a new team next season.
NBA Twitter has a laugh about Dillon Brooks
Brooks is a pending unrestricted free agent, so what the Grizz are essentially saying is that they plan to use their money to fill other needs. As Shams Charania detailed in his report of Brooks pending free agency, Los Angeles defensive strategy revolved around leaving him open:
"“The Lakers also left Brooks open during the series and dared him to shoot, using the extra defender to keep All-Star Ja Morant from driving or to blitz Desmond Bane on the perimeter. Brooks shot 31.2 percent from the field and 23.8 percent from 3-point land in the series while averaging 10.5 points and shooting nearly 13 shots per game.”"
Brooks failed to rise to the moment, and Memphis thinks a clean break is best for both sides. Still, social media had a field day with the news.
Dillon Brooks: “Let’s run it back!”
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) May 2, 2023
Grizzlies: pic.twitter.com/671TYU7xK9
Dillon Brooks trying to get into the Grizzlies facility pic.twitter.com/hEVdy2KZDj
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) May 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/DrGuru_/status/1653434538356539394
Dillon Brooks meeting with Grizzlies management to negotiate a new deal pic.twitter.com/cfrmrHGvZz
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) May 2, 2023
https://twitter.com/TheHomieJoker/status/1653432973780471809
https://twitter.com/BetUS_NBA/status/1653435056671555596
Dillon Brooks’ agent seeing a Shanghai number on the caller ID pic.twitter.com/WihXtc1Hvq
— I Think You Should League Pass (@nbaleave) May 2, 2023
Let’s see how Twitter is responding to that Dillon Brooks new— pic.twitter.com/aU6wdESBd8
— Unmistakable Latin Flavor (@PBSImpulse9) May 2, 2023
Odds for which country Dillon Brooks plays in next year.
— Brian Giuffra (@brian_giuffra) May 2, 2023
China -450
Greece -375
Australia -275
Germany -195
Spain -150
United States +175 https://t.co/mRoKNTZHFT
There were many more where those came from. For now, Dillon Brooks ought to take a break from social media. It’s rough out here.