Feb 12, 2024; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Yuta Watanabe (18) dunks during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Grizzlies Player Reportedly Leaving NBA

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | Last updated Jun 11, 2024 6:59 PM ET

Yuta Watanabe is coming off a year where he played for the Phoenix Suns and Memphis Grizzlies.

The six-year veteran finished the regular season with averages of 3.4 points and 1.6 rebounds per contest while shooting 35.3% from the field and 29.4% from the three-point range in 34 games.

Watanabe had a player option in his contract that would pay him $2.7 million for the 2024-25 season.

However, Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews reports that Watanabe will likely leave the Grizzlies (and the NBA) for an opportunity in Japan.

Via Urbonas: "Yuta Watanabe is poised to make one of the biggest moves in Japanese basketball league history, as he is widely expected to join the Chiba Jets, per sources."

Yuta Watanabe is poised to make one of the biggest moves in Japanese basketball league history, as he is widely expected to join the Chiba Jets, per sources.
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) June 11, 2024

Watanabe has also spent time with the Toronto Raptors and Brooklyn Nets over his six years in the NBA.

His career averages are 4.2 points and 2.3 rebounds per contest while shooting 42.6% from the field and 37.0% from the three-point range in 213 regular season games.

He has also appeared in five NBA playoff games with the Nets and Raptors.