JaMychal Green and the Memphis Grizzlies do not appear close to finding common ground.
The 27-year-old is the best free agent on the market, someone who many expected to secure a fat offer sheet from aggressive rivals. But the market turned on restricted free agents—just ask Nerlens Noel. And now, he remains unsigned, despite training camps opening for business.
Worse, according to the Commercial Appeal‘s Ronald Tillery, the two sides don’t appear close to hammering out a deal:
As of Tuesday night, the Grizzlies and restricted free agent forward JaMychal Green weren’t close to making a deal.
Green has until Sunday to accept a $2.8 million qualifying offer if he can’t reach terms on a new contract. The qualifying offer would be for one year and make Green an unrestricted free agent next summer.
What needs to happen for both parties to end the impasse?
“We’re not going to go into negotiations. That’s been our policy with any player,” Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace said.
Green missed media day and the Grizzlies’ first two training camp practices. When asked if he expects Green in camp this week, Wallace said, “I’m not going to comment on his negotiations.”
Chances are an agreement will eventually get done, even if that only entails Green signing his qualifying offer. While he is incredibly important to how the Grizzlies defend in a small-ball era, he also doesn’t have much leverage. Cap space has dried up around the league, and he isn’t going to get an offer that’ll blow him out of the water. Whatever the Grizzlies are dangling in front of him, or have proposed in the past, is probably the best he’ll get.
The question now becomes whether Green is willing to bet on himself, just like Noel. If he plays like he did last season, as a low-usage offensive spacer with switchy defensive chops, he should have more suitors from which to choose. It would mark the second consecutive full season in which played up to snuff, making it easier for outside squads and even the Grizzlies to justify paying him.
At the same time, given how the market panned out this summer, delaying a long-term windfall represents a huge risk. Green could see offers dwindle if he doesn’t provide an adequate encore to 2016-17, or he could play better and find that prospective contracts don’t guarantee him more money at all. He could also roll the dice, build upon last year’s efforts and assure himself of a lot more money. Everything is that up in the air.
For now, the Grizzlies have to care first and foremost about getting him back next season. Their playoff hopes are already on life support, and they’re only going to get worse if they tie their power forward rotation to a bundle of unknowns.
