Memphis Grizzlies

Report: Grizzlies sign Ryan Hollins

Published Sep. 24, 2015 11:25 a.m. ET

foxsports

We can finally begin the season. Ryan Hollins has signed with an NBA team.

Here's the official report from Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports:

First of all, how is Ryan Hollins only 30? Hasn't that dude been playing since 1992?

Secondly, this seems like an inconsequential signing, but it actually has a decent amount of meaning. The Grizzlies have rarely carried a third center in the past. With the signing of Hollins, assuming the contract is guaranteed, they're about to have one.

Back in the good old days of 2014 and shortly before, the Griz had Marc Gasol, Kosta Koufos and junk, no one who would play. After letting Koufos walk in free agency, though, they brought in Brandan Wright, and it appeared they'd be going in a similar direction—unless they thought Michael Holyfield's non-guaranteed training camp deal was going to work out, which it still might.

Hollins, though, is an actual NBA center with an actual NBA career who has actually been around since 2006 (not 1992). He's an above-average athlete who is capable of defending the rim, even if he gets far too antsy much of the time while doing it. Still, he gives Memphis another backup big in a front court that's relatively thin at the moment.

Hollins averaged 3.0 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.4 blocks in 9.6 minutes a night with the Kings last season. He has also played for the Clippers, Bobcats, Cavaliers, Timberwolves, Mavericks and Celtics.

(h/t Yahoo! Sports)

The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed in principle to sign veteran free-agent center Ryan Hollins, a source told Yahoo Sports.

Hollins, 30, is expected to sign a one-year veteran’s minimum contract.