Ryan Hollins reportedly received interest from a few teams earlier in the offseason – the Kings, Wizards and Clippers.
He chose another.
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports:The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed in principle to sign veteran free-agent center Ryan Hollins, a source told Yahoo Sports.
Hollins, 30, is expected to sign a one-year veteran’s minimum contract.
Hollins is no great shakes, but the Grizzlies need a third center behind Marc Gasol and Brandan Wright. They’re so desperate there, I at least wondered whether Michael Holyfield – an undrafted center from Sam Houston State – could make the regular-season roster.
Memphis has 14 players with guaranteed salaries plus JaMychal Green ($150,000 guaranteed), Patrick Christopher (unguaranteed), Lazeric Jones (unguaranteed) and Holyfield (unguaranteed). Even if Hollins’ contract isn’t guaranteed, the Grizzlies’ positional needs could give Hollins an edge over Green.
Hollins is a decent interior defender, but he’s extremely limited offensively and a poor rebounder for his position. Still, he’s been around the league and fills the role Memphis needed filled.
For a win-now team, he’s a nice – maybe even necessary – addition at this stage.