Update: The Memphis Grizzlies recently announced that they were parting ways with Dillon Brooks, and will not bring back the free agent “under any circumstances.” This move comes on the back of the team’s 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs.
A player who has been thrust into a ton of news outlets because of his ability to get under opposing players’ skins and talk a bunch of trash. The player is a solid player when he plays well and has become a stalwart for the Memphis Grizzlies in the starting lineup over the last two seasons.
The irritant averaged 14.3 PPG, 3.3 RPG, 2.6 APG, 0.9 SPG, and 0.2 BPG on 39.6% FG, 32.6% 3-PT FG, and 77.9% FT. Brooks posted decent numbers, but his shooting percentages were putrid, which forced the swingman to focus on playing perimeter defense.
Dillon Brooks has become a consistent perimeter defender over the past few years while his shooting comes and goes. There is no doubt that Brooks is an above-average defensive player, and he does rely on his ability to annoy elite scorers and force them into uncomfortable positions. Being an irritant has worked for players such as Patrick Beverley, so perhaps Brooks wants to be known in the same light. He competes on defense, plays off-the-ball most of the time, and certainly hustles for loose balls and gets under opponents’ skins.
However, Brooks’ future in Memphis is in doubt. The fact that the Memphis Grizzlies lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs means the team could be looking for changes next year. The swingman plays hard on defense, but he might not be able to improve much more without the right pieces around him. Not to mention, Brooks brought a ton of unwarranted spotlight on himself and the team with his trash-talking, and even if the player has doubled down on some shocking comments, it has provided critics a great chance to roast him.
The fact that Brooks would not even attend his duties speaking with reporters is not a good look either, and that could be the final straw for the Grizzlies franchise. It could be a matter of time before Brooks moves on and joins a new team. Luckily for Brooks, there are five major destinations for the player if he accepts a deal of around $10 million to $15 million per season.
Due to his inconsistent playoff shooting this year (31.2% FG, 23.8% 3-PT FG), the potential for the 27-year-old to earn at least $18 million is hard to imagine. One of these five rebuilding teams will be willing to offer Brooks a solid 7-figure contract to bring him in to shore up the perimeter defense. Without further ado, here are the five best destinations for unrestricted free agent Dillon Brooks this summer.
5. Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings franchise is onto something, as the duo of Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox worked to earn the third seed in the Western Conference. Malik Monk was also a revelation, posting 13.5 PPG in the regular season and 19.0 PPG in the playoffs. Not to mention, Keegan Murray will likely make the All-Rookie First Team after posting 12.2 PPG and 4.6 RPG, and these four players should be the long-term solutions for Sacramento going forward.
The Kings ranked 1st in PPG this year, and they can take a step up on offense by adding defensive wing Dillon Brooks. Brooks can defend three positions at a high level and will benefit from playing with Sabonis and Fox as he gets open looks. Dillon has playoff experience playing for the Memphis Grizzlies that has expectations, so he can bring that experience to the up-and-coming Kings team. For a deal of around $10-$15 million per season, Brooks can be a solid addition to shore up depth and even improve the starting lineup.
4. Utah Jazz
Utah was not as bad as many thought they would be. The Jazz let go of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert this preseason and somehow came close to making a play-in spot. Lauri Markkanen was an All-Star and won Most Improved Player, and the likes of Walker Kessler and Talen Horton-Tucker happened to be massive surprises. After coming close to being .500, the Jazz can make a large step this summer by adding a defense-first player to shore up the team’s 24th-ranked defense.
Brooks will probably benefit from playing out of the spotlight a little bit while adding some toughness and defense to a roster that wants to compete under talented head coach Will Hardy. Hardy has some talented players, but the key to relevancy is defense, and Brooks certainly provides that. At 27 years old, Brooks also has at least five years to be a solid contributor in his prime, and that fits into Utah’s game plan moving forward. If the player accepts a deal capped at around $15 million maximum, he could be interested in Utah.
3. Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers were a very tough team to beat during the regular season. They are rebuilding, and that is why the team only had 35 wins, but they almost made a play-in spot with All-Star Tyrese Haliburton leading the way. Haliburton averaged 20.7 PPG, 3.7 RPG, and 10.4 APG and is showing signs of being an elite offensive player with his new team. Next season, the Pacers will want to rebuild around Haliburton by giving him a player who can take defensive responsibility and also nail outside shots.
Playing with an elite passer and pass-first playmaker could increase Brooks’ shooting percentages. Dillon is posting a career 34.2% from deep, but he has the potential to shoot at a higher clip. The Pacers ranked 26th in defensive rating and 29th in OPPG, so defense is the glaring negative of the team. Coach Rick Carlisle is a defensive-minded coach who wants effort on defense which means Dillon Brooks could be the answer for the team going forward.
2. Detroit Pistons
Another team that makes sense to target Dillon Brooks is the Detroit Pistons. As a franchise that has completely tanked for Victor Wembanyama this year, the team has secured most of its lineup for the future, with Cade Cunningham leading the way. However, there is one glaring hole in the starting lineup, and that relates to defense. This year, Detroit ranked 28th in defensive rating and 27th in points allowed, so they are desperate for defenders.
A small forward who can defend and knock down open 3-pointers when feeling it could help bring Detroit back to relevancy. Brooks thrives in a supporting role in which he can defend and get open, so playing for the Pistons could be best for his career. Even if the Pistons don’t end up with Victor Wembanyama, they will likely earn a top-5 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and rebuilding around the young core would be exceptional. To at least get back to a middle-of-the-road defensive rating, the Pistons could add Brooks on a team-friendly deal.
1. Houston Rockets
After settling for being a joke of a competitive side in the Western Conference for two years, the Houston Rockets are a team looking to make major changes. They’ve already parted ways with coach Stephen Silas and brought in Ime Udoka, the man who led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals last year. Houston has also been connected to star players like James Harden and Jaylen Brown in recent months, with the former likely to return back home to Houston if the Philadelphia 76ers don’t win the championship this year.
Another name that fits into the Rockets’ new plans is Dillon Brooks. Based on his competitive nature and defensive-minded skill set, he could be a good fit for the young squad. Along with bringing veteran leadership, he also adds high-level defense to a young core. Whether the Rockets trade their young core or not remains to be seen, but Ime Udoka wants elite defensive players, and Brooks fits the bill as a 6’7” wing with the joy of competing. The first step for Houston to return to relevancy is to fight on defense, and Brooks is the type of player the franchise needs.
