The Memphis Grizzlies made a significant roster move this offseason by trading former lottery pick Zaire Williams to the Brooklyn Nets. In return, the Grizzlies received the draft rights to Nemanja Dangubic and fourth-year big man Mamadi Diakite. While this trade initially seemed to be a straightforward salary dump to ease the Grizzlies’ luxury tax concerns, the decision to release Diakite has added a layer of complexity to Memphis’ offseason maneuvers.
The Complicated Decision to Release Mamadi Diakite When the Grizzlies opted to part ways with Diakite, it seemed like a routine roster cut to trim costs. After all, his $2.27 million salary, while not exorbitant, came with a partially guaranteed $1.
39 million, which Memphis will still need to account for on their books. This move leaves the Grizzlies with just 13 full-time players, one short of the NBA’s minimum roster requirement. While releasing Diakite may have freed up a roster spot, it didn’t entirely alleviate the financial burden.
The Grizzlies are still on the hook for his guaranteed salary, and any subsequent signing to fill that vacant spot will push them even closer to the dreaded luxury tax threshold, which sits at $170.81 million for the upcoming season. Luke Adams of Hoops Rumors noted that the Grizzlies could theoretically stretch Diakite’s guaranteed payments over several years, lessening the immediate impact on their cap space.
However, this approach would still leave Memphis with some financial comm.