Marko Gudurić signing gives Grizzlies 3-point threat, but crowds roster, cap space
After signing Marko Gudurić, the Grizzlies have reached their offseason roster maximum. Now what?
Marko Gudurić signing gives Grizzlies 3-point threat, but crowds roster, cap space After signing Marko Gudurić, the Grizzlies have reached their offseason roster maximum. Now what? Check out this story on commercialappeal.com: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2019/08/01/memphis-grizzlies-roster-marko-guduric-signing-analysis/1883794001/
David Cobb, Memphis Commercial Appeal Published 2:25 p.m. CT Aug. 1, 2019 | Updated 2:26 p.m. CT Aug. 1, 2019
The Grizzlies are going to play with "pace and space" under first-year coach Taylor Jenkins, and Wednesday's signing of Marko Guduric is likely to bring plenty of the latter.
Guduric's 3-point shooting prowess should command the respect of opposing defenses on the perimeter and help create room for Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. to operate on offense.
EuroHoops.net named the 6-foot-7 left-handed wing one of its top five breakout performers of the 2018-19 EuroLeague season.
Now Guduric, 24, will have the chance to prove his game translates to the sport's highest level.
Memphis Grizzlies 2019-20 roster
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. reacts after being fouled by the Minnesota Timberwolves defense during first quarter action at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal
Memphis Grizzlies forward Ivan Rabb (right) drives to the basket against Minnesota Timberwolves defender Taj Gibson (left) during action at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal
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Memphis Grizzlies forward Bruno Caboclo (left) is fouled by Golden State Warriors defender Alfonzo McKinnie (right) during action at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 7: Brandon Clarke #15 of the Memphis Grizzlies boxes out Kaiser Gates #47 of the LA Clippers to grab the rebound during Day 3 of the 2019 Las Vegas Summer League on July 7, 2019 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) NBAE/Getty Images
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FILE - In this March 11, 2019, file photo, Utah Jazz forward Jae Crowder (99) directs his team in the second half during an NBA basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, in Salt Lake City. A person with knowledge of the decision says the Memphis Grizzlies have traded veteran point guard Mike Conley, who has played the most games in franchise history, to the Utah Jazz. The person says the Grizzlies swapped Conley for Jae Crowder, Kyle Korver and Grayson Allen. The person spoke to The Associated Press Wednesday, June 19, 2019, on condition of anonymity because neither Memphis nor Utah has announced the trade.(AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File) The Associated Press
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June 21, 2019 - Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (center) poses for a photo with head coach Taylor Jenkins during a press conference at FedExForum. The Grizzlies chose Morant with the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. Brandon Dill / For CommercialAppeal.com
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 11: Grayson Allen #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts after he was ejected from a game for a flagrant foul on Grant Williams #40 of the Boston Celtics during the 2019 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Celtics defeated the Grizzlies 113-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Getty Images
Memphis Grizzlies' Yuta Watanabe drives the ball against the Indiana Pacers during the second half of an NBA summer league basketball game Saturday, July 6, 2019, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/David Becker) David Becker, AP
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Jun 10, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) dribbles against the Toronto Raptors during the fourth quarter in game five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena. The Golden State Warriors won 106-105. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports John E. Sokolowski, John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Washington Wizards center Dwight Howard looks at the scoreboard during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Al Drago) The Associated Press
Anadolu's Vasilije Mimic, second left, defends against Fenerbahce's Marko Guduric, right, during the Euroleague Final Four semifinal basketball match between Anadolu Efes Istanbul and Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul at the Fernando Buesa Arena in Vitoria, Spain, Friday, May 17, 2019. Alvaro Barrientos, AP
Competition for playing time
Guduric will join a competition for playing time on the wing that includes Grayson Allen, Dillon Brooks and Josh Jackson.
Forwards Jae Crowder, Solomon Hill, Kyle Anderson and Bruno Caboclo also can play on the perimeter.
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Guduric will have to earn any minutes he gets. But he could prove to be the best pure shooter on the roster. Guduric made 47.7% of his 3-pointers last season as his Turkish team, Fenerbahçe, reached the Euroleague Final Four.
FIBA preview
Guduric is on Serbia's training camp roster for the upcoming FIBA World Cup, which is scheduled for Aug. 31-Sept. 15.
The event could give Grizzlies fans a chance to watch several of the franchise's players.
Teams will announce their final rosters for the competition later this month. For now, the following Grizzlies are on FIBA World Cup training rosters:
Canada: Dillon Brooks, Brandon Clarke
Lithuania: Jonas Valanciunas
Serbia: Marko Guduric
Brazil: Bruno Caboclo
Japan: Yuta Watanabe
USA: Jaren Jackson Jr. (Select Team)
Where the Grizzlies stand
Guduric's contract with the Grizzlies is a two-year guaranteed deal reportedly worth $5.3 million.
The contract will use most of the team's bi-annual exception for this year. The exception allows teams that are over the NBA soft salary cap to sign free agents to a maximum salary of $3.62 million.
Signing Guduric brings the Grizzlies to their offseason roster maximum of 20 players, a total that includes two-way players Watanabe and John Konchar.
Adding Guduric means the Grizzlies will have to shed three players from their current roster before the regular season begins.
Dwight Howard is a likely candidate to be waived or traded while Andre Iguodala remains a candidate to be traded or bought out. Third-year forward Ivan Rabb's future is also in doubt as his contract for the upcoming season will not become fully guaranteed until mid-October.
Here is an estimated 2019-20 salary table for the Grizzlies:
1. Andre Iguodala: $17.19 million
2. Jonas Valanciunas: $16 million
3. Solomon Hill: $13.29 million
4. Miles Plumlee: $12.4 million
5. Kyle Anderson: $9.1 million
6. Ja Morant: $8.73 million
7. Tyus Jones: $8 million (estimate)
8. Jae Crowder: $7.31 million
9. Josh Jackson: $7.06 million
10. Jaren Jackson Jr.: $6.94 million
11. Dwight Howard: $5.6 million
12. Marko Gudurić: $2.65 million
13. Brandon Clarke: $2.48 million
14. Grayson Allen: $2.48 million
15. Bruno Caboclo: $1.85 million
16. Ivan Rabb: $1.62 million (only $371,758 if waived before mid-October)
17. Dillon Brooks: $1.62 million
18. De'Anthony Melton: $1.42 million
X–Avery Bradley: $2 million (waived)
Estimated total: $127.74 million
Luxury tax line: $132.6 million
Estimated room below tax: $4.86 million
Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @DavidWCobb.
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