More Offseason Analysis: Coaching changes, news | Free Agency | Draft
There has been some unrest and confusion with the Memphis Grizzlies this offseason. After being eliminated in the first round of the playoffs, owner Robert Pera started clearing house in the front office and there were reports he nearly fired his newest coach. With the possibility of Zach Randolph leaving in free agency, it looked like this successful era of Grizzlies basketball could be coming to a close.
Things are looking much better now. Pera and Dave Joerger worked out whatever issues were there and now it looks like Randolph isn't going anywhere. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports is reporting the power forward has exercised his $16.5 million option for next season in addition to agreeing to a two-year, $20 million extension with Memphis.
After exercising his $16.5M player option for 2014-'15, Zach Randolph has agreed to 2-year, $20M extension with Memphis, sources tell Yahoo.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 27, 2014
This extension for the Grizzlies is a steal. Randolph has been one of the biggest reasons the team has gone from a laughing stock or afterthought to being one of the more feared and difficult opponents in the Western Conference. He averaged 17.4 points and 10.1 rebounds in 34.2 minutes last season. He helped lead the Grizzlies to the 7-seed, despite losing center Marc Gasol for 23 games during the season.
After missing the playoffs in Randolph's first season with the Grizzlies, the team has made the postseason for four straight years.
