For higher or worse, Dillon Brooks isn’t afraid to be himself. Since he bought into the NBA, he’s earned a status as an irritant and instigator.
Each of these qualities have been past obvious within the first spherical of the 2023 NBA Playoffs, the place Brooks’ Memphis Grizzlies took on the Los Angeles Lakers. Brooks wasn’t afraid to disrespect an NBA nice in LeBron James by calling him “outdated,” which was then adopted by him saying he was not afraid to poke bears. Effectively, that in the end backfired because the Grizzlies lost in six video games. After the early exit, the group has reportedly decided on Brooks’ future with the franchise.
Per The Athletic’s Shams Charania (subscription required), the Grizzlies won’t be bringing Brooks again “underneath any circumstances” subsequent season. The 27-year-old will now enter free company, and the marketplace for him won’t be bountiful. Nevertheless, these three groups ought to take the gamble.
No. 1 – Phoenix Suns
When you’ll be able to commerce for Kevin Durant, you do it. Nevertheless, it got here at a value for the Phoenix Suns, who gutted a good portion of their depth for the two-time champion. One of many large points for the Suns within the playoffs this season has been their lack of depth, as they’ve relied closely on their essential guys. Regardless of how their season ends, this group wants to search out complementary items to encompass their core with this low season, and Brooks might be a possible choice.
Whereas Brooks is definitely not on Mikal Bridges’ degree defensively, he might be used to fill the present gap the Suns have after sending Bridges to the Brooklyn Nets to get Durant. Bridges would usually tackle probably the most troublesome matchups offensively to alleviate strain off of the opposite Suns. He’d deliver protection, toughness, and grit to this group that would use extra depth.
Brooks probably won’t be available in the market for an enormous deal this low season, which might additionally profit the Suns mightily as they retool the roster.
