An absolute potential gem find for any prospective suitors in the restricted free agency market this coming offseason could be found with a IUPUI product and Grizzlies rookie. The 24-year-old 6-foot-5 and 210 pound rookie shooting guard John Konchar is set to hit the restricted free agent market in the next cycle after he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Grizzlies on a two-way contract last offseason.
Given the brief but impressive numbers that Konchar registered with the Grizzlies in 15 games played during his rookie campaign, his hype has started to pick up of late. In those 15 games he played with the Grizzlies so far this season, he’s averaged 3.4 points per game, 3.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 0.5 steals, while shooting 65.7 percent from the field, 44.4 percent from beyond the arc, and 50.0 percent from the free-throw line.
Just take a look at some of the advanced metrics for Konchar in his rookie season: 5.0 box plus/minus rating, .195 win shares per 48 minutes, 143 offensive rating, 16.7 percent assist rate, and 71.1 true shooting percentage.
There is a slight chance that someone could toss a juicy offer Konchar’s way during the next cycle of free agency. While the Grizzlies would likely want to keep him around and see where his development goes from here, another team might want to take a bigger gamble.
The Bulls don’t have a whole lot to lose to throw a couple million Konchar’s way to fill a wing depth need. He could provide valuable and efficient depth behind the likes of OPJ and rising star shooting guard Zach LaVine if the Bulls decide to move forward with that portion of the wing rotation.