Chile, the Memphis Grizzlies are done with Dillon Brooks! They told him he will NOT be brought back “under any circumstances.” And they told him this after issuing a $25,000 fine for avoiding reporters after the Los Angeles Lakers knocked the Grizzlies out of the playoffs. Deets inside…
Looks like Dillon Brooks is out of luck with the Grizzlies!
The Memphis Grizzlies has reportedly made it clear that they’re ready to part ways with the 27-year-old forward/guard after a tumultuous season that ended with the team’s playoff defeat.
The Athletic reports that Dillon was told he “will not be brought back under any circumstances” in exit meetings held in the last few days. Apparently, the first-round series against the Lakers was a breaking point, with a series of incidents, including Dillon’s comments about LeBron James, contributing to the decision.
Disrespecting King James wasn’t the only thing that caused the NBA team to sever ties with Dillon.
During the Grizzlies’ six-game series against the Lakers, Dillon Brooks made some bold moves. He not only called LeBron James, the Lakers’ star player and a four-time NBA champion, “old” and “tired,” but also insinuated that he was not as good as he once was.
In Game 3, Brooks punched James in the groin, resulting in an ejection. In Game 4, he missed a crucial defensive assignment, allowing James to score the game-tying basket, and then gave up another critical basket to LeBron in overtime, leading to a devastating loss. King James gathered him up real quick on the court:
LMAOOOOO pic.twitter.com/dpBOJgQHfN
— (@KentrelUTD) May 2, 2023
Dillon’s decision to avoid speaking to the media after three of the losses in the series earned him a hefty $25,000 fine by the NBA.
The following was released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/WqITrOD3ly
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) April 30, 2023
Grizzlies executive VP of basketball operations Zach Kleiman acknowledged that the franchise would be “very aggressive” during the offseason and admitted that the team had to grapple with “self-created distractions” during the playoffs.
In one instance, after the Grizzlies won Game 2 to even the series against the Lakers, Brooks referred to LeBron James as “old.” When questioned about his remarks, Dillon unapologetically stated, “I poke bears. I don’t respect anyone until they come and give me 40. I pride myself on what I do on defense and taking on any challenge that’s on the board.”
He clearly poked the wrong one.
Dillon Brooks has been with the Grizzlies throughout his entire six-year career after being drafted in the second round (45th overall) by the Rockets out of Oregon in the 2017 NBA Draft.He was Memphis’ longest-tenured player.
The NBA forward/guard had been playing under a lucrative three-year, $35 million contract which was set to expire at the end of the season. However, the Grizzlies attempted to secure his services for the future by making several contract extension offers, which he turned down according to a report by The Athletic. Which team do you think will pick him up?
Photo: AP Photo/David Zalubowski
