By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
TJ Shorts was an MVP candidate in just his first EuroLeague season, continuing his meteoric rise in Europe. After winning the BCL, the EuroCup, and also the MVP awards in both competitions, Shorts proved beyond any doubt that he can also be a standout in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
With his contract expiring this season, the 27-year-old guard is expected to leave Paris at the end of the season, and there’s strong interest from the Memphis Grizzlies for him, as Basket Europe has reported.
Per Eurohoops sources, the Grizzlies, coached by Tuomas Ilsalo, who combined with Shorts both in winning the BCL with Bonn and the EuroCup with Paris, are willing to give him a guaranteed deal, however, it’s unlikely that he will get much more than a minimum contract.
On the other hand, if Shorts decides to stay in Europe, he will easily get a multi-year deal with a triple annual net salary or even more, compared to a minimum NBA salary.
Considering that TJ Shorts will turn 28 in October, this is a very crucial decision for his career. On one hand, it will be an amazing feat to sign a guaranteed NBA deal after not getting drafted and spending six seasons in Europe, ending up competing at the highest level.
On the other hand, he can finally get a well-deserved big contract, the first in his career. No decision has been made yet, and it remains to be seen what kind of offer he can get from Memphis.