YUTA WATANABE NEWS

Efficient from deep in defeat Watanabe produced 16 points (6-13 FG, 4-9 3Pt), two blocks and one assist across 34 minutes in Japan's 97-77 loss to Germany in the Paris Olympics on Saturday.

Impact Watanabe served as one of Japan's top options in their blowout loss to Germany, and he had an efficient outing from beyond the arc Saturday. The 29-year-old's status was up in the air due to a calf injury, but he played through it and was on the court for nearly the whole contest. Watanabe and Japan will look to bounce back against France on Tuesday, and a successful Olympic campaign could help him land on an NBA roster this upcoming season.

JULY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Will start Saturday Watanabe (calf) is in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against Germany, according to CNBC.

Impact Watanabe was uncertain for Saturday's Olympic opener, but he will suit up and start for the Japanese national team.

JULY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Iffy for Olympics Watanabe is considered questionable for the 2024 Paris Olympics due to a calf injury, Kyodo News reports.

Impact Watanabe was absent from Japan's most recent exhibition against South Korea on July 8 due to his calf injury. While his status is still uncertain, the team's first contest in the Olympics is on July 27 against Germany.

JULY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Finds opportunity in Japan Watanabe agreed Wednesday to a contract with the Chiba Jets of the Japanese B.League, Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com reports.

Impact The terms of Watanabe's deal aren't clear, but he should immediately become one of the B.League's top players after spending parts of the last six seasons in the NBA with the Grizzlies, Raptors, Nets and Suns. The 29-year-old forward appeared in 34 games for Phoenix in 2023-24 and averaged 3.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.7 three-pointers in 13.6 minutes but didn't make an appearance for Memphis after being sent to the Grizzlies in February on a deadline deal. Watanabe holds a $2.65 million player option for 2024-25, but he'll presumably decline that to facilitate his return to his home country of Japan. He's also expected to suit up for the Japanese national team during the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

JUNE 12 • ROTOWIRE

Leaving NBA Watanabe (personal) is not expected to pick up his $2.6 million player option this offseason, but rather head to the Japan professional basketball league, Keith Smith of Spotrac.co...

Impact Watanabe announced the news during an Instagram Live session. Assuming he does not ultimately return to the NBA, the six-year veteran will bookend his career with stints in Memphis. Although, he only played five games for the team this year, as most of his season was spent in Phoenix. His most productive tenure came with the Nets during the 2022-23 season, where the forward averaged 5.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.0 triples across 16.0 minutes per game.

APRIL 20 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out for season finale Watanabe (personal) is out for Sunday's game against the Nuggets.

Impact Watanabe missed the Grizzlies' final 22 games of the season due to a personal problem. He ended the season with averages of 3.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game across 34 appearances between the Suns and Grizzlies.

APRIL 13 • ROTOWIRE

Out once again Friday Watanabe (personal) is out for Friday's game against the Lakers.

Impact This is Watanabe's 21st straight absence, and it's highly unlikely that he'll suit up for the season finale against the Nuggets on Sunday.

APRIL 11 • ROTOWIRE

Still sidelined Watanabe (personal) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers.

Impact Watanabe's absence streak will extend to 20 games Wednesday. He has only two more chances to suit up this season -- Friday versus the Lakers and Sunday against the Nuggets.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Remains sidelined Watanabe (personal) has been ruled out for Tuesday's matchup against the Spurs.

Impact Watanabe hasn't played since March 1. It's unclear if he'll be able to play again this season.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

To miss another game Watanabe (personal) will not play in Saturday's matchup with the 76ers.

Impact Watanabe will now miss his 18th straight game. There is no word from the team on any sort of immediate return at this point. Still, his next chance to do so, would be Tuesday versus the Spurs.

APRIL 6 • ROTOWIRE

Out once again Watanabe (personal) is out for Friday's game against the Pistons.

Impact Including Friday's contest, Watanabe has now missed 17 games in a row, and it doesn't seem likely that he'll return to action before the end of the regular season. His next chance to play will come against the 76ers on Saturday in the second half of a back-to-back set.

APRIL 4 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Watanabe (personal) is out for Wednesday's game against the Bucks.

Impact Watanabe is set to miss a 16th straight game, and there's no apparent reason why he's out other than it being a personal matter. As such, his next chance to feature will come against Detroit on Friday, but it wouldn't be shocking if he ends up being ruled out for the rest of the season sooner rather than later.

APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Monday Watanabe (personal) has been ruled out for Monday's game against the Pistons.

Impact Watanabe will miss a 15th straight game. His next chance to suit up will come Wednesday in Milwaukee.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Still out Saturday Watanabe (personal) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Magic.

Impact Watanabe hasn't played since March 1. His next chance to suit up will come Monday in Detroit.

MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE

Absence to continue Wednesday Watanabe (personal) will not play Wednesday versus the Lakers.

Impact Watanabe has not taking the court since March 1, initially due to a wrist sprain and now for personal reasons. The 29-year-old is unlikely to profile as a relevant component of the Grizzlies rotation down the stretch.

MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Sunday Watanabe (personal) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Nuggets.

Impact Watanabe continues to tend to a personal matter, and it's unclear when he'll be able to return. His next chance to suit up will be Wednesday against the Lakers.

MARCH 25 • ROTOWIRE

Out once again Watanabe (personal) is out for Friday's game against the Spurs.

Impact Watanabe has been sidelined since the beginning of March, and he has no clear timetable for his return given he's been out for personal reasons during the last few games. His next chance to play will come against Denver on Monday.

MARCH 21 • ROTOWIRE

Ruled out versus Warriors Watanabe (personal) will not play against the Warriors on Wednesday.

Impact Watanabe has been sidelined since March 1, initially for a wrist sprain and now for personal reasons. His next chance to play will be Friday against the Spurs.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Remains sidelined Watanabe won't play in Monday's game against the Kings due to personal reasons.

Impact Watanabe hasn't played since Mar. 1 due to a right wrist sprain, but he will miss Monday's game for personal reasons. When he is available, he will likely have a limited role off the bench.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Still out Watanabe (wrist) has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Thunder.

Impact Watanabe, who hasn't played since March 1 due to a right wrist sprain, appears to be getting close to a return but will miss at least one more game. His next chance to suit up will come Monday in Sacramento.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

Set to practice in G League The Grizzlies assigned Watanabe to the G League's Memphis Hustle on Wednesday for practice but will recalled after.

Impact Watanabe hasn't played since March 1 due to a right wrist sprain. However, his participation in practice is a good sign that he is nearing a return to action.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out Watanabe (wrist) has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Hornets.

Impact Watanabe will miss a sixth straight game. His next chance to suit up will come Saturday versus the Thunder.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Still out Watanabe (wrist) has been ruled out for Tuesday's game against the Wizards.

Impact Watanabe will miss a fifth straight game. His next chance to suit will come Wednesday versus the Hornets.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Sunday Watanabe (wrist) will not play Sunday against the Thunder.

Impact Watanabe will miss his fourth straight game and remains without a timetable for a return. Once cleared, he's likely going to have a minor role at the end of the rotation.

MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Watanabe (wrist) will remain sidelined for Friday's matchup with the Hawks.

Impact Watanabe's absence will mark his third straight due to a sprained right wrist. The forward's next opportunity to suit up will come Sunday versus the Thunder.

MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE