Memphis had no intention of playing him; they said as much. The goal all along was to use him to get prospective value in return. I'm sure he would have improved them right away, but he's not getting them past the top of the conference. That's why it was a better play was to hold him out so he doesn't get injured, and wait for a contender (not in the West) to offer something significant in trade.
I expect Trump's death squads to be coming for Bernard's most devoted loyalist. Fortunately, he has a friend in the promised land (California) where he can hide and, possibly, steal a few voters from the heart of Steyer country.