Memphis Grizzlies forward Dillon Brooks made waves for the second consecutive NBA Playoffs after calling out LeBron James as old and finding himself ejected for a swipe at James during the first round against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Brooks, 27, has been a controversial figure for the past few seasons, leading to speculation that the Grizzlies might move off him this summer. After boasting the second-best record in the Western Conference during the regular season, Memphis fell in six games to the No. 7-seed Lakers in the first round.
Outside of his antics, Brooks didn’t do himself any favors with his struggles on the court. The former second-round pick from Oregon shot a mere 28% from the field over the final four games of the series.
- Dillon Brooks stats (2023 NBA Playoffs): 10.5 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 31% shooting, 24% 3-point
This comes after Brooks shot just 35% from the field in Memphis’ postseason run last year. Simply put, his struggles on the court have played a role in the Grizzlies’ playoff issues.
Add in the nuisance he has become off the court, and it’s looking less likely that the Grizzlies will re-sign their boisterous forward once NBA free agency opens this summer.
“There is also a growing doubt leaguewide about the Grizzlies’ appetite to re-sign Brooks as he heads to free agency,” NBA insider Marc Stein on Dillon Brooks’ situation.
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Signs point to Memphis Grizzlies upgrading over Dillon Brooks
Even before Memphis was eliminated by Los Angeles in the first round, reports surfaced that front office head Zach Kleiman and Co. were looking for an upgrade.
The Grizzlies made NBA trade deadline pushes for Brooklyn Nets forward Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby of the Toronto Raptors. It’s unrealistic to believe that this team can compete with the big boys out west if one of its top wings is a net negative on offense. Brooks has proven to be just that during crunch time.
The backdrop here is Brooks’ reputation among fellow NBA players. It’s not great.
“You want to talk about his reputation? Ask other players in the league about him. … Dillon’s reputation also is that he is a, to be polite, a borderline dirty player and borderline’s being very polite. You heard Donovan Mitchell when he got cup-checked. He basically just unloaded. You heard what Draymond’s had to say. That’s not media-created.”
ESPN’s Tim MacMahon on Dillon Brooks’ reputation among NBA players
At this point, one has to wonder how much of a market Brooks will receive in free agency. Sure, he’s seen as a top-end perimeter defender. Outside of that, there’s not a lot to like about what he brings to the table when you take into account both his reputation and on-court antics.
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