The Memphis Grizzlies are officially moving on from Dillon Brooks, determining after the NBA playoffs that it was time to part ways with the 6-foot-7 wing. Brooks, one of the top NBA free agents in 2023, enters the open market at a turbulent point in his career.
Regarded as a productive “three-“3-and-D” player, Brooks enter the 2022-’23 season with momentum. He averaged a career-high 18.4 points per game in 2021-’22, shooting 43.2 percent from the field. With another productive campaign in a contract year, Brooks would’ve cashed in nicely in free agency.
- Dillon Brooks stats (2022-’23): 14.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 39.6% FG, .033 WS/48
Related: Dillon Brooks not well-liked by NBA players, ‘borderline dirty’ rep
Instead, Brooks regressed this past season and generated more headlines for his behavior than for on-court play. The former 45th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft shot a career-worst 39.6 percent from the field, resulting in his lowest scoring average (14.3 PPG) since 2018.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Memphis offered Brooks multiple contract extensions during the regular season. However, each offer was rejected and that helped influence the organization’s decision to move on from Brooks.
Brooks reportedly wants a much larger role than he played for the Grizzlies, believing he can do more for a contender than just be a ‘3-and-D’ player. He did shoot 32.6 percent from the perimeter during the regular season, but he ranked 180th in Win Shares per 48 minutes (0.34), one of the lowest marks among all NBA starters.
He also wants more than just an expanded role. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Brooks is reportedly seeking a multi-year deal worth $25 million per season.
Related: Memphis Grizzlies tried replacing Dillon Brooks in February
Putting that average annual salary into content, it’s more than New York Knicks star Julis Randle ($23.76 million AAV) makes and Brooks would be among the 55 highest-paid NBA players.
With his league-wide reputation taking a hit this season and coming off a postseason where he shot 31.32 percent from the field, Brooks might struggle to find the role and money he’s looking for this summer.
