GRIZZLIES
Newcomers: Daniels, 25, signed a three-year contract worth $10 million in July. The 6-4 guard made 48 percent of his 3-point attempts in 43 games for the Hornets last season. However, he became expendable because the Hornets have Nicolas Batum and Marco Belinelli as their primary shooting guards, with Jeremy Lamb capable of playing the position. So Memphis pounced on adding a true scorer behind Allen. Daniels essentially replaces Lance Stephenson, whom the Griz declined to bring back on a $9.4 million contract option. Daniels was undrafted out of Virginia Commonwealth in 2013. His career began with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA Development League. He had brief stints with Houston and Minnesota before finding a home in Charlotte. With limited playing time, Daniels led the league in 3-point shooting accuracy for players who logged less than 500 minutes. Even with a small sample size, Daniels figures to upgrade the Grizzlies’ long-range shooting.
Returners: Third-year guard Jordan Adams isn’t expected to play for the Griz for a second straight season. Adams indeed appeared at the team’s summer league games in Las Vegas wearing a knee brace. He underwent cartilage transplant surgery on his right knee earlier this year. Adams initially agreed to grant The Commercial Appeal an interview in Las Vegas. The next day The Commercial Appeal was told that he had a change of heart. The mystery continues. Adams underwent a lateral meniscectomy on his right knee in August 2015 after sustaining a partially torn meniscus in an offseason workout. Cartilage transplant surgery is commonly described as the need to correct range of motion, bone damage and pain. The Grizzlies’ first-round draft pick (22nd overall) in 2014 was supposed to be in the rotation last season. Daniels not only replaces Stephenson but Adams as well.
The Skinny: Allen gives the Griz stability and toughness at the position as he has since arriving in Memphis. Despite missing a ton of layups, Allen improved his midrange shooting. He’s arguably the best cutter on the roster to play off Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol. Allen’s main challenge will be staying healthy so that he is effective toward the end of the season. Daniels’ shooting could help preserve Allen as well as improve the Grizzlies’ anemic offense. Combo guards Andrew Harrison and Wade Baldwin could also see spot minutes off the ball. As for Adams, who knows?