According to a report by Shams Charania, the Memphis Grizzlies have informed Dillon Brooks that they will not bring him back to the team “under any circumstances.” Brooks, a second-round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, has spent his entire career with the Grizzlies and will be an unrestricted free agent this summer.
The Memphis Grizzlies have informed pending free agent Dillon Brooks that he will not be brought back under any circumstances, league sources say.
Full story and details at @TheAthletic: https://t.co/CRztYTgYi7
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 2, 2023
Charania cited Brooks’ on-court antics and poor play during the Grizzlies’ first-round playoff loss to the Los Angeles Lakers as the reason for the team’s decision.
In particular, Brooks’ behaviour during a postgame press conference after the Grizzlies’ Game 2 win, in which he took multiple shots at LeBron James, and his ejection in Game 3 for hitting James in the groin, were cited as key moments.
Brooks’ inability to knock down shots, including a dismal 10-of-42 from 3-point range during the series, also contributed to his team’s struggles.
Brooks’ controversial behaviour was not limited to the playoffs. During the second round of the playoffs last season, he delivered a foul that broke Golden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II’s elbow, resulting in a suspension for a game.
He was also involved in other unnecessary incidents earlier this season, including hitting Cleveland Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell in the groin (resulting in an ejection and suspension), shoving a camera person to the ground (resulting in a $35,000 fine), and exceeding the technical foul limit (resulting in two separate one-game suspensions).
Although Brooks is known for being a strong perimeter defender, his inability to make shots and his off-court behaviour have caused problems for his team.
His performance during this season was particularly rough, as he averaged 14.3 points, his fewest since his second season in the league, and shot a career-low 39.6 percent from the field. In the Grizzlies’ first-round playoff loss, his performance was even worse, as he put up just 10.5 points on 31.2 percent shooting.
While Brooks may find another spot in the league during free agency, it is clear that the Grizzlies were ready to move on from him. His controversial behavior and poor play during the playoffs were the final straw for the team, and they have made it clear that they are not interested in bringing him back.
Shaquille O’Neal’s Brutal Critique: Can Dillon Brooks Survive in the NBA?
Shaq, the renowned four-time NBA champion, has offered a candid reality check for the Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks. As per reports by The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Brooks will not be retained by the Grizzlies in the upcoming season “under any circumstances”.
Shaquille O’Neal, in the latest episode of The Big Podcast, expressed his thoughts on Brooks’ future, stating that the NBA’s newest villain might find it difficult to secure a team willing to sign him.
"He didn’t play well enough to be acting like that… Who’s gonna sign him?” @SHAQ talks Dillon Brooks on #TheBigPodcast: https://t.co/uzGI6OY5zd pic.twitter.com/5RT2lEwIXa
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) May 2, 2023
O’Neal believes that Brooks’ recent actions on the court, particularly during the Grizzlies’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers, do not justify his performance, further questioning who would sign him now.
Brooks, who had the highest number of technical fouls in the NBA last season tied with Draymond Green, engaged in extensive trash-talking with Lakers star LeBron James both on and off the court, and was also ejected from Game 3 for striking James in the groin. Additionally, Brooks had a poor shooting performance, registering just 23.8% from beyond the arc against the Lakers.
While Brooks has made a name for himself as a hard-nosed defender, he might have some work to do, as the former Oregon standout appeared to be exposed during the Grizzlies’ playoff run.
With an average of 14.5 points and shooting 34.2% from beyond the arc in his six NBA seasons, Brooks will probably need to reflect on his actions and performance if he wishes to find a new team in the upcoming season.
