Memphis Grizzlies release former Wisconsin basketball star
The Memphis Grizzlies are releasing former Wisconsin basketball star Johnny Davis, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
Exactly two weeks after being traded from the Washington Wizards to Memphis ahead of the NBA's Feb. 6 trade deadline, Davis will be on the move once more. The former lottery pick didn't suit up for the Grizzlies during his two weeks with the team.
He, alongside Marvin Bagley III and a batch of second-round picks, went to the Grizzlies in exchange for Marcus Smart, Colby Jones, Alex Len and a 2025 first-round pick. Now, the Grizzlies have opened a roster spot for forward Lamar Stevens by releasing Davis. Charania did note that the former Badger is expected to receive interest from other franchises as a free agent.
Memphis clearly prioritized length and experience over Davis' lack of playing time. Through 203 career games, Stevens has logged 5.7 points and 2.9 rebounds in just under 16 minutes per appearance. For a team hoping to make a deep run in the NBA's Western Conference playoffs, this was an understandable move.
The Grizzlies are releasing Johnny Davis to create roster space, sources said. Davis, the No. 10 pick in 2022, is expected to receive some interest as a free agent. https://t.co/XcZ3Z3KTzv
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 20, 2025
The La Crosse, Wisconsin, native joined Washington as the No. 10 overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft following a storied tenure in Madison. With the Wizards, however, he did not experience the same success.
In 112 games in Washington, he averaged just 11.4 minutes, 3.5 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists. He did log some time with the Capital City Go-Go, Washington's G League affiliate, as he navigated through the NBA waters. While rumors of potential suitors are certainly real, the G League remains Davis' likely destination. He simply has yet to showcase the ceiling he displayed during his 19.7-point, 8.2-rebound campaign with the Badgers in 2021-22 -- the year he led Greg Gard's group to a Big Ten title.
This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin basketball Johnny Davis NBA Grizzlies Release Update
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