Grizzlies’ Wright respects good defense
Guard says he has been big fan of Tony Allen
Two of the Grizzlies' new guards who came from opposite ends of the NBA universe in trades last week each made unsolicited references to a franchise legend during their introductions to local media.
“I’ve been a big fan since the Tony Allen days, the playoff runs that they – well that 'we' – had, and I’m happy to be here and I’m just ready to get to work," Delon Wright said the day after he arrived in Memphis as part of the deal that sent Marc Gasol to Toronto.
Wright's mention of Allen, who was regarded as one of the NBA'S top perimeter defenders during his seven seasons in Memphis, came just a few hours after new teammate Avery Bradley also cited Allen for why he respects the Grizzlies franchise.
While the Grizzlies plan to play a faster offensive tempo now that Gasol is
gone, the appreciation for defense from players such as Wright is a sign the team won't stray too far from the defense-first mentality that continues to be a staple in Memphis during the post-allen era.
A rangy 6-foot-5 point guard, Wright was a two-time Pac-12 All-defensive Team honoree at Utah. He is stepping in to the backup point guard role that opened when the Grizzlies traded Shelvin Mack to Atlanta for Tyler Dorsey.
"The size and length that he has at that position to defend allows you to do some different things," Grizzlies coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.
Notable: Wright, 26, played 18.3 minutes per game in 49 games as Toraptors ronto's backup point guard this season.
What general manager Chris Wallace sees: "Delon Wright is a point guard who is one of the best backup point guards in the league," Wallace said. "Can also slide over and be a starter. Very long. Good size for a point guard. Great defender. He’s going to pair well with Mike Conley for the times we shift Mike Conley in to more of an off-guard scoring role."
What he's making: Wright is earning $2.54 million this season with a $3.64 million qualifying offer for next year. If the Grizzlies like what they see from Wright down the stretch this season, they will make the qualifying offer and maintain the ability to match what any other team might offer Wright in restricted free agency this summer.
Quotable: “I always talk to Stack," Wright said of Grizzlies assistant Jerry Stackhouse, who coached with the organization from 2015 to 2018. "He’s been with me since my rookie year, so I’m kind of familiar with him.”
Analysis: By exchanging Wright for Mack, the Grizzlies secured a defensive upgrade at the backup point guard position. The trade-off is that Wright's 3-point shooting numbers and offensive track record suggest he's less capable of giving the scoring spark that Mack occasionally provided.
However, Wright's defensive versatility and facilitating skills could make the Grizzlies better in the moments when Bickerstaff wants two true point guards on the floor.
In short, Wright's contract offers a low-risk trial run for the Grizzlies to decide whether he should be the team's backup point guard next season.
Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Davidwcobb.