The Memphis Grizzlies have had enough of Dillon Brooks’ antics. According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the organization informed Brooks that he wouldn’t be offered a new contract after he becomes a free agent this summer.
Charania reports that Brooks found out that “he will not be brought back under any circumstances” during recent exit meetings with team officials.
Brooks grabbed the headlines more than a few times this season, and it wasn’t because of his stellar performances. Instead, he drew attention to himself during the regular season by getting involved in several incidents, including hitting Cleveland Cavaliers’ star Donovan Mitchell in the groin and getting into verbal exchanges with players like Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green.
Brooks continued with his antics in the postseason, taking aim at Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James and calling him “old.” He also hit James in the groin area during Game 3 of the first-round series between the Lakers and Grizzlies, with the incident causing him to be ejected from the contest.
It’s obvious that the Grizzlies didn’t like the negative attention Brooks drew to the franchise, but their decision to let him walk isn’t solely based on that. The 27-year-old player struggled on offense throughout the 2022-23 campaign, shooting 39.6% from the floor and averaging 14.3 points in the regular season, his lowest since his sophomore year in the league. He was even worse in the postseason, putting up 10.5 points on 31.2% shooting.
Despite all the baggage that he brings in, Brooks should command some interest from other teams around the league. He remains an elite defender and could perhaps be a valuable contributor if he lands in the right situation.
