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Recently deciding to opt out of the final year in his contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, Monta Ellis looks to become a free agent starting July 1st. The Bucks will not have to worry about retaining him, nor Brandon Jennings it appears.
With Ellis’ tremendous scoring ability he has shown in the past, how will the market look for him? There are definitely teams in need of his talent scoring the ball, that’s for sure.
According to a source close to the situation, Ellis has expressed interest in playing for the Memphis Grizzlies.
Really? When you think of the Grizzlies and their tight-knit roster you don’t necessarily think of a scoring splurge. With Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph down low, the Grizzlies are monsters defensively and in the paint.
Mike Conley running the point has been more and more of a pleasure to watch as his career continues to develop, and he is also fantastic defensively as well.
So why on earth would the Grizzlies even look Ellis’ way?
Easy answer: They probably won’t. I would guess they Grizzlies go ahead and re-sign Tony Allen — again, another defensive-minded guy. The way their team is set up, they would likely be thrown off their groove if a guy like Ellis were to join the party.
The house that Lionel Hollins built has continued to hold firm as the Grizzlies went as far as the Western Conference Finals this season, only to lose to a highly respected team like the San Antonio Spurs. They do not need a guy like Ellis. He is a streaky, selfish and outspoken player — far from the direction the Grizzlies are headed.
Ryan Heckman is a Senior NBA writer for www.RantSports.com also contributing to the NFL. Follow him on Twitter @ryanmheckman, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
