‘Tis the season for non-playoff NBA teams to get an “up-and-close” personal look at players whom they may want to keep around next season. The Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz are two such teams, and each made a move earlier today.
Grizzlies and Jazz Add Undrafted Rookies To 15-Man Roster
Projected to be severely shorthanded for its home game tonight against Dallas, Memphis (23-41) announced the signing of Tyler Burton to a 10-day hardship contract. As a result, the Grizzlies do not need to make a corresponding move.
“The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team signed forward Tyler Burton to a 10-day contract,” the Grizzlies announced via press release. “Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.”
Memphis had 11 players listed on its injury report for the game against the Mavericks, including five players dealing with “long-term injuries.” Zach Edey and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope are out for the season. Meanwhile, Brandon Clarke has been out since December, Ja Morant since the end of January, and Santi Aldama last played on February 4. Clarke is slated to be re-evaluated later this week, and Morant’s reevaluation is expected next week.
Aldama will sit out his 16th straight game due to a knee injury. However, he could return at the end of the month. Scotty Pippen Jr. is also out against, marking his third straight absence with right great toe sesamoiditis, and doesn’t have a timetable to return. Walter Clayton Jr. (ankle), Cedric Coward (right knee management), Taj Gibson (reconditioning), and Ty Jerome (right calf) were all listed as doubtful and ruled out before tipoff. Cam Spencer (lower back soreness) was listed as questionable before being listed as out.
Burton was one of eight active Grizzlies against the Mavericks, making his debut. Burton played 16 minutes in the first half, tallying three points on 1 of 5 shooting (all three pointers) with one rebound and one block.
Who Is Tyler Burton?
Burton has spent the last two seasons in the Grizzlies system with the Memphis Hustle after going undrafted in 2024 out of Villanova. The 6-7 forward, who took part in training camp with the Grizzlies, earned the promotion due to elite production with the Hustle.
Burton is a confident spot‑up shooter with range who is capable of attacking closeouts and scoring in bunches. Burton put at least 20 points on 21 occassions in the G-League, including three 30-point contests. He poured a career-high 4o points on 11 of 20 shooting, including 4 of 8 from deep, on February 1 against the Motor City Cruise. Additionally, he is a good team defender.
Burton averaged 19.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals in 33 minutes over 43 appearances. He also averaged 2.6 threes with shooting splits of 45.1/38.6/81.7.
© Petre Thomas, Imagn Images
