New Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks took a shot at the Memphis Grizzlies after helping Canada qualify for the 2024 Olympics. The All-NBA defender said he’s feeling refreshed playing for Canada and having teammates “who believe” in him.
“Coming off a tough year with my old squad, [the Grizzlies] it was great having a refresh with Canadian blood,” Brooks said, via Antonis Stroggylakis of Eurohoops.net. “Guys who believe in me. Guys who trust in me. It was great to win this game in a great fashion.”
The Grizzlies did not re-sign Brooks this summer because they did not like the shots the forward took on offense, according to NBA reporter Tim MacMahon of ESPN. Brooks joined the Rockets on a four-year, $86 million contract as part of a sign-and-trade deal with the Grizzlies.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Dillon Brooks Updates
“I think the reasons the Grizzlies were ready to move on from him are misunderstood,” MacMahon said on Zach Lowe’s podcast. “The nonsense was kind of like at a point where culturally, it was time. That was not the primary reason.
“The primary reason the Grizzlies were trying to replace Dillon Brooks for a full two years — repeatedly going after players that would have replaced him in the trade market — and he probably would have been sent out, was because of the shot selection issue. Dillon did not want to be a fourth or fifth offensive weapon.”
Brooks averaged 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists last season for the Grizzlies while shooting 39.6% from the field, 32.6% from beyond the arc and 77.9% from the free-throw line. Memphis won 51 games in the regular season and was the second seed in the Western Conference.
However, the Grizzlies lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs in six games and Brooks didn’t play well. The 27-year-old averaged just 10.5 points while shooting 31.2% from the floor and 23.8% from 3 against the Lakers.
Brooks also talked too much trash to LeBron James, calling the four-time MVP and four-time Finals MVP “old” after the Grizzlies won Game 2 in Memphis. Memphis told Brooks it would not bring him back during exit meetings and the franchise stuck to its word.
The Rockets entered NBA free agency with the most cap space. They signed Brooks, Fred VanVleet, Jeff Green, Jock Landale and Aaron Holiday.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Dillon Brooks Updates
“Ime Udoka wanted him,” MacMahon said. “He valued him. He’s in Houston a large part because of that. It’s on Ime Udoka to deal with that stuff and get the best version of Dillon Brooks that also creates the best possible scenarios for these young guys to grow.”
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