The Memphis Grizzlies are ready for a fresh start and a new NBA season.
The 2023 NBA free agency period got off to an interesting start for them, as they re-signed Desmond Benn to a massive five-year, $207 million max contract extension, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.
BREAKING: Memphis Grizzlies G Desmond Benn has agreed to a five-year, $207M max contract extension with his agents Jim Tanner, Max Wiepking and Terrence Felder. @_Tandemse Tell ESPN. The Grizzlies’ cornerstone players — Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ben — are safe for the long term. pic.twitter.com/tFeXZedcst
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 1 July 2023
Ben has been one of the team’s best players over the past few seasons, even leading the team when Ja Morant was unavailable.
The guard is a valuable commodity for the Grizzlies, and this deal is proof that hard work pays off.
Twitter account CBB Content recounts the journey it took Ben to get to where he is at the moment, describing how hard he’s had to fight.
Desmond Benn’s journey to max contract:
High School:
• 0-Star Recruitment.
• Averaged 30 points per game at a small Catholic school in Indiana.
• Spent his entire senior season of high school without committing to a college.
• Committed to TCU at Miami (OH) in May of his senior… pic.twitter.com/R2ejEJPm53— CBB Content (@CBBcontent) 2 July 2023
Bain responded by sending a brief but direct and powerful message to fans and those trying to make it in the NBA or elsewhere.
Run your own race 💯 https://t.co/HzR1J2oMju
— Desmond Bain (@DBane0625) 2 July 2023
After a tumultuous 2022-23 NBA season, the Grizzlies are looking for veteran leadership.
They had already landed Marcus Smart via trade to add a much-needed veteran presence to the locker room.
Derrick Rose also signed with them in free agency and returned to Memphis, where he played in college.
In addition, they re-signed Desmond Bain, who averaged 21.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.4 assists in 58 games.
Ben should be happy with this detail, but the troubles don’t stop there, and the Grizzlies need to deliver as soon as possible.
next:
Fans React To Derrick Rose Signing With The Grizzlies