Yuta Watanabe to play in Japan next season / News - Basketnews.com

Yuta Watanabe has a $2.6M player option for next season but announced on IG Live that he is planning to play in Japan next year.

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

Memphis Grizzlies sharpshooter Yuta Watanabe announced via Instagram Live his plans to return to his native Japan next season, according to Keith Smith.

Free throws this season

76%16,0Points made:16,0Accuracy:76,4%Place in standings:22Record max:32Record min:4Most made FTs:Jaren Jackson Jr.TeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Despite holding a $2.6 million player option for the upcoming season, Watanabe intends to exit the NBA at least temporarily after completing six seasons in the league.

Before the February 8 deadline, Watanabe was traded back to the Grizzlies, his former team from 2018 to 2020, in a three-team trade involving the Phoenix Suns and Brooklyn Nets.

Throughout this season, Watanabe averaged 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds while splitting his time between Phoenix and Memphis.

Watanabe started his NBA career after going undrafted in 2018, subsequently playing for four different teams: the Grizzlies, Toronto Raptors, Nets, and Suns.

With Watanabe's departure, the Grizzlies will now have an opportunity to adjust their roster heading into the offseason, alleviating some of the pressures of roster constraints.

Injury-plagued Memphis finished 13th in the Western Conference standings with a 27-55 record.

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