Quincy Pondexter Should Still Be Able to Find Minutes With Memphis Grizzlies


Quincy Pondexter Grizzlies Depth

Mark J. Rebilas – USA Today Sports Images

The 2013 NBA Free Agency period was really only about one thing for the Memphis Grizzlies. They came into the off-season after being swept in the Western Conference Finals by the San Antonio Spurs knowing that they needed to add bench players that could provide them with consistent offensive output.

The Grizzlies did just that this summer as they signed veteran sharpshooter Mike Miller on the wings, traded for Kosta Koufos for their frontcourt, and signed Nick Calathes as a free-agent to help backup Mike Conley. There’s absolutely no question that the Grizzlies are now a much deeper team with a much more potent bench heading into the 2013-2014 NBA season.

However, with the addition of Miller, that creates somewhat of a log-jam in their wing rotation. They still have Tony Allen and Tayshaun Prince in their starting five, but now have Miller, Jerryd Bayless, rookie Jamaal Franklin and Quincy Pondexter coming off of the bench to back those two starters up. Of those players, the most intriguing heading into this season is Pondexter.

Though he was a bit inconsistent, Pondexter had a nice season as a reserve last year. In 59 games he averaged 6.7 points, 2.2 rebounds and one assist in 21.1 minutes per game while shooting 42.8 percent from the floor and a solid 39.5 percent from three. Pondexter really shined offensively in the playoffs when, in 15 games, he averaged 8.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 23.8 minutes per game while shooting 48.9 percent from the floor and 45.3 percent from long-range.

Pondexter is an above-average outside-shooter, even if he’s inconsistent. Because of that fact alone, he should still be able to find minutes on the wing, likely if Miller is backing up Allen so Pondexter can play the three, his natural position. His minutes may slip with the Grizzlies adding depth, but it’d be shocking if he still didn’t have a role carved out for him in Memphis.

Cody Williams is a Senior Writer with Rant Sports. Follow Cody on Twitter @TheSizzle20, add him on Google and like his Facebook page.


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