Decision looms on Arthur: Grizzlies forward Darrell Arthur, who continues to recover from Achilles surgery that cost him the entire 2011-12 season, is a restricted free-agent this season, meaning the team must decide whether he is worth keeping around. According to the Memphis Daily News, the Grizzlies will likely be able to retain only one of Arthur or fellow restrict free agent Marreese Speights this offseason. (Updated 05/20/2012)
Injury Report
Achilles - Probable for start of 2012-13 season (Updated - 5/20/12)
Fantasy Analysis
By all indications, Arthur is recovering on schedule, which means he should be ready for the start of the 2012-13 season. He emerged as a valuable reserve for the team during 2010-11, and was expected to take another step forward as the team’s third big man before the injury. He is probably a talented enough player to earn more minutes with another team, however that would depend entirely on whether the Grizzlies decide to bring him back. His Fantasy value will be determined by what his role is heading into next season, however he will likely just be a late-round selection with upside on Draft Day. (Updated 05/20/2012).
Darrell Arthur averaged a career-high 9.1 points per game last season, playing around 20 minutes off the bench. While he could enjoy a modest increase to those numbers this season, Arthur will remain unusable in most Fantasy formats as long as both Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol remain healthy. He has the ceiling of a potential 15-and-7 player given the opportunity to play 35 minutes per game, but we do not anticipate that happening in 2011-12. Invest no more than a flier pick on him in the late rounds of deep leagues. (Updated 8/28/11)
