Yuta Watanabe's time with the Suns didn't go quite as planned. The sharpshooting wing never found his stroke, hitting just 32.0 percent of his 3s. That led to a lack of minutes and opportunity. He appeared in just 29 of 52 games for Phoenix before being traded to the Grizzlies.
That trade offers him a golden opportunity to resurrect his career. Memphis has been depleted by injuries — it listed eight players on the injury report in his debut against New Orleans on Monday and is desperate for anyone who can play.
Watanabe got that chance, entering the game as the first reserve off the bench and logging 25 minutes in his debut. After a shaky start, he helped lead a late rally to keep the game close and finished with 11 points, two rebounds, two steals and an assist.
Here's what we learned about how the Grizzlies plan to use Watanabe.
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Yuta Watanabe is going to fill a lot of different roles for Grizzlies
One of the best features of Watanabe is his versatility. The Grizzlies plan on leaning into that.
Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins used Watanabe against guard CJ McCollum on Monday, and he helped hold McCollum to a miserable 4-of-15 night from the field.
"He understands his role on a given night. In the rotation, out of the rotation, playing the wing spot, playing the big spot," Jenkins told reporters. "He just kind of goes out there and does his job, and that's what you love about Yuta."
Watanabe was almost exclusively a 3-point specialist for the Suns. He should have a lot more freedom to put the ball on the floor in Memphis.
He took a season-high 12 field goal attempts in his debut. He couldn't quite find the rhythm on his 3s, going 1-of-7, but he hit 4-of-5 from inside the arc, scoring on some impressive runners and cuts to the rim.
Jenkins called him "kind of a Swiss army knife guy, both offensively and defensively," hinting that he will be used as more than a spot-up shooter.
This is the skill set that Watanabe showcased over the summer during the FIBA World Cup. He will get a chance to prove that he can do the same at the NBA level.
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The Grizzlies value Yuta Watanabe's attitude
Watanabe has always been a positive influence. The Grizzlies are aware of this from his two years in Memphis previously. Jenkins mentioned the value of his intangibles to reporters.
"He's a guy that loves to work," Jenkins said. "I know he's super excited to be here ... I love the fact that he just competes, and competes hard. He does everything possible to help the team win."
Watanabe showed that positive energy in his debut, much to the delight of fans and teammates.
BIG MOOD 😤@wacchi1013 pic.twitter.com/9crBzQSt89
— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) February 13, 2024
It has been a very tough year for the Grizzlies. They were expected to compete for the top seed in the West but season-ending injuries to Ja Morant, recently traded Steven Adams, and Brandon Clarke torpedoed their season before they had a chance to gain rhythm. They could use veterans like Watanabe to help end the year on a positive note.
This also represents a tremendous opportunity for Watanabe to earn playing time next year with a good performance. He has a $2.6 million player option that he can exercise to come back in 2024-25.
This is a unique situation for Watanabe that he probably wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. He can play big minutes on what should be one of the best teams in the Western Conference next season. He could not have picked a better landing spot post-trade deadline.
