Earlier this summer, restricted free agent Kyle Anderson signed a four-year, $37.2 million offer sheet with the Memphis Grizzlies.The San Antonio Spurs had the opportunity to match the offer, but they declined.That came as a bit of a surprise. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski even reported that the Spurs were expected to retain him, but that’s not what happened. It’s important to remember that the Spurs made that choice before they traded away Kawhi Leonard. Anderson averaged 7.9 points and 5.4 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per game for San Antonio last season, all of which were career-highs. Although his numbers didn't jump off the page, he's regarded as a solid on-ball defender who does a little bit of everything on the court.But, the 24-year-old forward now has a new home and will seemingly fit right into the gritty culture that has been developed in Memphis.Gregg Popovich recently admitted that losing Anderson wasn't easy.“(Losing) Kyle was very difficult,” Pop said last month. “If you get a contract like that, you’ve got to take it. That would have been very difficult, for us to match that contract. When you have someone like that, and you watch them develop and they leave … it’s for the right reasons. He was special here – off the court, on the court. He’ll be great in Memphis. I’ll hate playing against him.”Especially since Tyreke Evans signed with the Indiana Pacers earlier this season and will therefore not return to the Grizzlies, Anderson should find himself in a major role during his first season in Memphis.Per Michael Wallace of Grizzlies.com, Anderson is expected to start and will be given the opportunity to display his versatility on the court.

Immediate starter

“Look for Anderson to open at small forward, but serve as a calibrating force for the Grizzlies at as many as four positions. What the Grizzlies lost in Evans’ pure scoring as a ball-dominant attacking guard, they should gain in Anderson’s two-way versatility and playmaking efficiency. The 24-year-old Anderson ranked sixth among qualifying NBA players in defensive rating last season. And he was one of only five guards/small forwards to shoot 50 percent and average at least seven rebounds and 3.5 assists per-36 minutes,” Wallace pointed out.

Although he’s expected to start, the Grizzlies have a number of other players that will likely challenge him for playing time, including Dillon Brooks, MarShon Brooks, Omri Casspi, Chandler Parsons, Wayne Selden and Garrett Temple.

Therefore, while he’s most likely going to start, he will have to produce and make the most of his minutes. Luckily for Memphis, he can play four different positions on both ends of the floor, so if he thrives, he will be able to stay on the floor wherever they need him to be.