Two days after losing Rudy Gay for at least a month, the Grizzlies are set to sign free-agent small forward Rodney Carney to a 10-day contract, as first reported by the Commercial Appeal.
A 2006 first round pick who’s played nearly 300 NBA games for three different franchises over the past five seasons, Carney is a journeyman who is best known locally for his successful college stint at the University of Memphis.
Carney’s local connection will draw attention: I’ve already seen comments praising the signing on those terms and wondering — with apparent seriousness — when the Grizzlies will finally sign former Tiger Antonio Anderson, and I’ve seen comments blasting the idea that former Tigers drive ticket sales.
But Carney’s collegiate record is pretty much irrelevant to this signing. Carney was simply the best available free agent small forward.
Carney has three viable NBA skills: He’s a terrific athlete at 6’7″ who can run the floor and finish in transition. He’s a decent defender (though not as good on that end as I thought he would be). And he’s a viable catch-and-shoot threat from long-distance, making 34% on his career.
