NEW KIDS ON THE GRIND
Memphis nabs Matt Barnes in trade, picks Jarell Martin in draft.
Draft day for the Grizzlies became an exercise in obtaining plug-and-play players in areas of need.
Memphis began Thursday morning by trading for veteran “3-and-D” forward Matt Barnes and capped the night with the selection of LSU versatile forward Jarell Martin with the 25th pick in the NBA draft.
The Griz satisfied their need to get younger and more athletic in the frontcourt with Martin. Barnes, 35, brings dogged perimeter defense and the ability to make 3-pointers, bolstering the Grizzlies’ depth on the wing.
The Grizzlies also traded Jon Leuer to the Phoenix Suns for guard Andrew Harrison, the No. 44 pick in the draft, according to a source.
Barnes is the most immediate help for a Griz team trying to contend in the Western Conference.
One day after acquiring Luke Ridnour from Orlando, the Grizzlies traded the guard to Charlotte for Barnes. Charlotte acquired Barnes on June 16 in a trade that sent Lance Stephenson to the Clippers. Barnes is in the final year of a contract that pays him $3.5 million for the 2015-16 season.
He averaged 10.2 points last season for the Los Angeles Clippers, shooting 36.2 percent from 3-point range on career highs of 136 3-pointers on 376 attempts. The Griz will keep Barnes, whose contract will be fully guaranteed July 1. Barnes is an 11year journeyman who fits the Grizzlies’ grit-and-grind brand. The 6-7, 226-pounder has career averages of 8.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 779 games (296 starts) over 12 seasons. He’s played for the Clippers, Sacramento Kings, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers.
Barnes originally was drafted by Memphis in the second round (46th over--
all) in 2002 after a fouryear career at UCLA. He was traded to Cleveland on draft night.
What are the Grizzlies getting in Barnes?
He shot 44.4 percent, including 36.2 percent on 3-pointers. That would have made him the Grizzlies’ third-best 3-point shooter last year behind Courtney Lee and Mike Conley.
Barnes does fit the Grizzlies’ mentality, given his penchant for doing the little things. He’s proficient at cutting to the rim, finishes well at the rim with either hand and provides toughness on the defensive end.
Barnes plays with a chip on his shoulder.
On the other hand, the Barnes Band-Aid showcases a player who can be a streaky shooter and a liability in pick-and-roll situations. Teams will let Barnes shoot open 3-pointers and dare him to keep taking long-range shots because of his inability to create baskets.
Barnes’ confrontational tone also has made referees whistle him for an inordinate amount of technical and flagrant fouls. The NBA last season fined Barnes $50,000 during the Western Conference semifinals for directing inappropriate language at a courtside fan who turned out to be Houston Rockets guard James Harden’s mother.
But he does come with a cost-friendly contract with one year and $3.5 million remaining.
What did the Grizzlies see in Martin?
The 6-10 forward is a versatile offensive talent and gifted athlete.
He can play both forward positions, but his 240-pound frame makes Martin ready to compete immediately at power forward. Martin averaged 17 points on 51 percent shooting to go with 9.2 rebounds last season at LSU.
Martin is viewed as a player capable of spelling Zach Randolph and will compete with second-year forward Jarnell Stokes for playing time.
Former Kentucky star Harrison averaged 10.9 points and four assists last season.
The 6-6 point guard is considered a strong defender and adept at playing in pick-and-rolls on offense. He’s not quick off the dribble and needs to improve his perimeter shooting.