Should Magic Sign Grizzlies SF Dillon Brooks?

Dillon Brooks is looking for a new home after the Memphis Grizzlies said they wouldn't re-sign him. Could the Orlando Magic be a fit?

Jeremy Brener | May 2, 2023

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ORLANDO - The Memphis Grizzlies are picking up the pieces after losing in the first round of the NBA Playoffs to the Los Angeles Lakers, but they have already made a big decision regarding one of their impending free agents.

According to The Athletic, the Grizzlies have informed controversial small forward Dillon Brooks that the team will not bring him back under any circumstances.

"After his tumultuous end to the season, Brooks was told about the Grizzlies’ decision to move on in exit meetings with team officials in recent days, those sources said. Memphis and Brooks discussed in exit meetings that it’s best for both sides to have a fresh start, sources added," The Athletic said.

With Brooks as a free agent, the Orlando Magic will need to decide if he is worth bringing into the fold.

Even though Brooks' tenure with the Grizzlies ended poorly and in bad taste, he has the potential to be one of the best defensive wings in the NBA. Depending on the rest of the roster, Brooks could slot in as a starter next to Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero or a key reserve manning the second unit.

Offensively, Brooks is no pushover either. During his six seasons with the Grizzlies, he has averaged 14.5 points per game while shooting 34.5 percent from distance.

If Brooks can truly embrace a fresh start and buy into the Magic's culture, he could be a difference-maker for a team looking to take the next step into the playoffs.

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Published May 2, 2023

JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.