latest:Following their announcement, the Memphis Grizzlies

Following their announcement, the Memphis Grizzlies

During the NBA trade deadline, the Memphis Grizzlies were very busy, making a number of deals to better position themselves for when they return to health the following season. Among the changes the Grizzlies made was a three-team trade that included David Roddy, Chimezie Metu, and future first-round picks in exchange for Yuta Watanabe, Watanabe, and Metu.

The Grizzlies are thrilled about the purchase of Watanabe, despite the fact that there are many moving parts in this trade. Watanabe started his NBA career with the Grizzlies and appeared in 33 games for them in the 2018–19 and 2019–20 seasons before moving on to the Toronto Raptors, where he truly started to establish himself as a player.

Watanabe first signed an Exhibit-10 contract with Toronto, then in April 2021, he was converted to a normal contract after earning one of their two-way spots. In two seasons, Watanabe played 88 NBA games with the Raptors under his first regular NBA contract. He also spent some time with the team’s G-League affiliate.

Watanabe hasn’t had a big role with the Brooklyn Nets or Phoenix Suns the past two seasons, but his early promise in Memphis and Toronto has also been evident in his last two spots. Watanabe, a 37.7% career three-point shooter, would be useful to the Grizzlies.