After his break out performance during the London Olympics its seems Joe Ingles hasn’t been forgotten among NBA teams.
This week Joe Ingles and Australian Boomers teammate Nathan Jawai have taken Spanish team Barcelona to a 4-1 record and the team now sits in third place in their division as the Euroleague reduces itself down to its Top 16.
On the other side of the globe the Memphis Grizzlies traded Marreese Speights, Wayne Ellington, Josh Selby and a future first-round draft pick to Cleveland for Jon Leuer in an attempt to reduce financial pressure due to the NBA’s salary cap.
The Grizzlies trade was made in order for the team to ease financial difficulties which will arise when the Grizzlies attempt to resign their teams starting unit in the upcoming future. Memphis owes Gay, Randolph and Marc Gasol nearly $50 million combined next season which was a major part of the Grizzlies decision to set up a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
“It’s a trade that had to be made from a business decision, so we have a chance to keep our core together and we move forward,” Memphis coach Lionel Hollins said.
Because the Grizzlies had already been carrying the minimum 13 players on their roster, their three-for-one trade with the Cavaliers will leave them two players short of the minimum. As a result the Grizzlies now have a large gap in their roster to fill.
A list of names has been announced with players the Grizzlies are interested in filling those spots, one of those being current Barcelona sharpshooter and Australian Boomer Joe Ingles. Memphis will hope to replace those players with minimum NBA salaries and names circulating as ones who would be a comfortable fit for the Grizzlies certain playoff run this year also include Sasha Vujacic, Eddie House, Michael Redd, Chris Johnson of Dayton, Bill Walker and Delonte West.
It’s been noted the Grizzlies are very excited about the length and range of Ingles, not to mention the fact that a player who can handle the ball around the perimeter, something the Grizzlies sorely miss right now. Earlier this season Joe Ingles received interest from the LA Lakers and Golden State Warriors and is considered to be one of the best international prospects not in the NBA right now.
Currently Ingles is averaging 6.7 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists over 14 games in Euroleague play for Barcelona Regal. This may seem modest when thinking about a player who could contribute towards an NBA team, however the fact Ingles is shooting extremely well this season, 40.5% from three point range 81% from the free throw line, combined with his recent strong performances against NBA talent at both the Olympics and Barcelona’s recent game against the Dallas Mavericks proves Ingles could be a very efficient weapon for the Grizzlies if teams decide to sag off him.
Joe Ingles finished 7th in scoring for the 2012 London Olympic Tournament with 15.0ppg. He also contributed 5.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.