I think it’s fair to say that the way it was reported that the Memphis Grizzlies weren’t interested in re-signing Dillon Brooks was a bit odd. Shortly after the Grizzlies were eliminated in the playoffs, it was reported that the Grizzlies would not be bringing back Brooks “under any circumstances.”
At least to me, that seemed a bit over the top. The Grizzlies weren’t even going to evaluate things after the season? There were going to be no internal conversations removed from the season? It was clear that Memphis really, really wanted no part of Brooks. And that’s fair. The Grizzlies have every right to feel that way. The way they went about it, with the way it was reported, seemed personal.
And maybe there’s reason for that. There was probably more going on behind the scenes that we didn’t know. Still, that’s not how most organizations go about their business and their decisions to move on from certain players.
Nevertheless, the Grizzlies and Brooks parted ways this past offseason. Brooks would go on to sign a big deal with the Houston Rockets.
Dillon Brooks has had a great start to the season with the Houston Rockets
To put it simply, it’s a deal that has worked for both sides through the first month of the season. Through the first 12 games of the season, Brooks is averaging 14 points and four rebounds per game on a career-high 51 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from 3-point range.
He’s been a bit part of the Rockets’ early-season success and could also be part of the Grizzlies struggles. In fact, as the Rockets and Grizzlies prepare to square off, Brooks gave voice to that possibility.
On the Grizzlies’ struggles, Brooks took somewhat of a shot at his former team.
"“[I am] like the girlfriend that you use...They have no swagger.”"Dillon Brooks
Could there be some truth to these remarks? Absolutely, but you can also tell there is some bad blood between Brooks and the Grizzlies. As Brooks prepares to face his old team, it’s certainly something to watch.
Brooks is having a great start to this season and the Grizzlies are having somewhat of an identity crisis at the moment without Ja Morant. It may be a bit early to call the race, but it’s hard to blame Brooks for taking a victory lap with the way everything transpired during the offseason.