It’s Draft Day! Let’s Talk Grizzlies’ with your BCM Favorites

Arguably, the 2nd most important day (NBA Draft Lottery was arguably the 1st), since the Grizzlies’ season ended, is finally here! Fans and media members have gone back and forth since the regular season ended (and all of 2024 for that matter) about what moves or picks the Grizzlies need to make to get back on track next season.

Well, a couple of Bluff City Media members participated in a panel to prepare you for what’s to transpire tonight. Let’s enjoy what is, hopefully, the last time the Grizzlies will be in the lottery (without trading) up for a very long time.

With all the rumors surrounding the Grizzlies’ number 9 pick, are you team draft need or draft the best player available?

Anthony Sain, Host of The Anthony Sain Show: I’ll always be team draft best player available but as of the time of this writing I also wouldn’t be mad if they just drafted a center. That position feels like one that can convert to the league relatively easily compared to expectations and be ready to compete in the playoffs. 

Rusty Whitten, Co-host of Two Bucks Sports Show: I am all in on team need this year. The Grizzlies championship window is open now and we all have seen how hard it is to climb out of the Western Conference and compete for championships. While team need and best available might coincide, I really think the front office needs to address the two most glaring needs for the team – shooting and post help. The Grizzlies have enough “project” pieces, so the need is definitely for plug-and-play help now. Can that be best available? Absolutely! This draft has several guys who will be good NBA role players. I also think the Grizzlies could trade the 9th pick and a combo of Luke Kennard/Ziaire Williams/John Konchar/Santi Aldama and move back to get that role player at a team-friendly price. I just think with the glaring need for shooting they need to be targeting guys who have proven to be consistent shooters. I think the center position can be addressed with a veteran through a trade as well. After being at the bottom of the association in both three-point and field goal percentage, I think it is about time to address those weaknesses and take this team to the next level. I am team draft need – give me a guy who can shoot for once, please.

Luke Hatmaker, Host of The Daily Grind: I’m a member of the “draft team need” camp through and through. The Grizzlies aren’t that far from being back in the thick of it. Let’s not forget this squad was the two-seed in back-to-back years before last season. I don’t see the need to draft the best player available if said player isn’t making your top eight guys better. You know?

There has been a lot of chatter about being comfortable drafting certain guys, but not at 9. Do you agree with drafting your guy even if it’s higher than where that player was projected?

Xavier Dotson, Co-host of Core 4 Podcast: I don’t think drafting any lottery player with the 9th pick is terrible. I want the Grizzlies to select Kel’el Ware; many mock drafts have him being selected between picks 11-16. I can understand the possibility of gaining more assets, but I don’t think it’s a big deal.

Evan Hayes, Co-host of No Bluffin’ Podcast: Normally I would be against drafting a guy “too high” but in this draft, I’m cool with it. This isn’t a draft that is filled with top-tier talent and franchise-changing players. In this draft, I’m on the side of getting the guy you want no matter what number it may be. The Grizzlies need value and depth in this draft and they can achieve that with a bunch of different guys whether they stay at 9, trade up, or trade back.

Francis Carlota, Host of Tigers Live: 100% yes for a couple of reasons. 1. There are no guarantees your top prospect will be available if you trade down. Sure, a team could gamble on a trade-down in hopes of that player falling to them. But the uncertainty of that possibility is enough for me to “reach” for a player I value the most. 2. As the fictional GM of this team, I’d trust my intel, my scouts, and my own detailed research and bet on a player I love. It shouldn’t matter how other teams, or other draft experts, rate somebody. What matters is how I and my organization value a player.

Chris Ingram, Host of No Bluffin’ Podcast: Absolutely! I’ve recently asked many people the question, “What constitutes a guy being drafted too high?” pertaining to the range of 8-15. If you know you want a guy at 9, why chance it to lose him to someone at 11 or 12? This draft is super deep as far as high level role players so it’s likely you can get a decent pick regardless. That being said, I just wouldn’t chance it with the way so many guys are mocked all over the board. No one is a lock this year, not even pick #1. Make the pick with conviction and let’s go!

With the unknown nature of this draft’s top prospects, are you team keep the pick or trade the pick? If so, would you rather trade up or down and which player would you target?

Anthony Sain: I’m definitely team keep the pick. Not against trading down but I definitely don’t want to trade out of the draft. I don’t really have a target outside of maybe someone like Kel’el Ware. 

Xavier Dotson: This question has been keeping Grizz Twitter raving this offseason. Honestly, I don’t care if the Grizzlies front office drafts at 9 or trade up or down. If an offer presents itself that the front office can’t turn down, MAKE THE MOVE!

Rusty Whitten: To me, this year’s top-end prospects are Alexandre Sarr, Donovan Clingan, and Reed Sheppard. Outside of those names, it is very light on elite-level talent. This draft is full of role players who will fill gaps on a lot of teams. So with that in mind I am very bullish on trading this pick, especially trading down. Sure, if there is a scenario that doesn’t hedge the farm to get Clingan or Sheppard, then I would definitely be interested. However, if I am Kleiman, I am shopping that 9th pick hard to try and move back into the mid to late teens to get shooting help, or Kel’el Ware, at a lower price tag. I have been very high on Kel’el Ware from the jump and think he would be an excellent fit alongside Jaren Jackson Jr. as an athletic big. The closer we get to the draft night I also wouldn’t hate to address the post position with a veteran and get a young shooter from the draft.
A trade I can get behind would be moving Kennard to Orlando with the 9th pick for Wendell Carter Jr., the 18th pick, and getting their future second-round pick back. They need shooting help around their young pieces and we could get an athletic big who averages 8.5 rebounds for his career. The Grizzlies don’t need a major scoring big and at $11.9M, it is a cheaper price tag than a Jarrett Allen would command.

If this trade happens for Memphis, I would strongly consider taking Jared McCain from Duke with that 18th pick. McCain is a career 42% 3-point shooter, fits the backup PG role Luke would be vacating, and plays tough defense. McCain, while a bit undersized, showed a knack for facilitating and has elite potential as a ball handler. McCain was really good at creating his own shot in space and, though limited in size, getting to the rim. A former Duke sharpshooter who can run back up point guard and be an option for a kick out on a drive from Ja – and he plays defense!? Sign me up.

Luke Hatmaker: I may be an outlier… But I’d rather hold on to this year’s pick, and draft someone to contribute Day one. Seems to me this year’s draft is full of role players. Which is exactly what Memphis needs. You could trade up (Donovan Clingan’s a dog), or down (Kel’el Ware could be available), sure but why? Why overcomplicate things when staying pat will do just fine.

Which player(s) which you be disappointed if you heard their name drafted to the Grizzlies at 9?

Evan Hayes: I have a long list, but I’m going to keep it to 5. I will be disappointed if I hear the names of Rob Dillingham, Dalton Knecht, Cody Williams, Matas Buzelis, and surprisingly to most, Donovan Clingan. I just think all of these guys don’t fit Memphis’ scheme and their impact on the team next year will be more negative than positive.

Francis Carlota: Nobody. I know that’s a bit of a crap answer but there is genuinely no realistic target for Memphis that I’d be disappointed with. That’s because the Grizzlies are in a unique position. They can draft for upside, draft for need, or draft for the highest floor. Get a big (Clingan, Ware, Edey, Filipowski), get a talented wing (Holland, Buzelis, Knecht), or get a versatile guard (Castle, Sheppard, Carter). There are many different ways for Memphis to be considered winners of this draft.

Chris Ingram: I’m out on Cody Williams. I could talk myself into almost anyone mocked 1-15 currently except for him. To me, he has the biggest variance of what his career could look like and after going through the Ziaire Williams experience, I’m just not willing to go through that again. Nikola Topic would be a close second strictly due to his injury situation. Let a legit lottery team take the swing on those guys.

Which player(s) would excite you the most if you heard their name drafted to the Grizzlies at 9?

Anthony Sain: Donovan Clingan. If he falls or the Grizzlies manuever to go get him you probably have a day one starter at a position of need who will be under contract for a long time. 

Rusty Whitten: I am bullish on trading back but if the Grizzlies stay at the 9th pick I think there are four options I would like to see. In order it would be Devin Carter, Dalton Knecht, Ron Holland, and Nikola Topic. If they are drafting on team need for a plug-and-play now player, Dalton Knecht or Devin Carter check a lot of boxes for the Grizzlies. Dalton Knecht is a scorer plain and simple, with few people who can catch fire like he can. He can shoot, get downhill to attack the rim, and create his shot in space. Plus at age 23, he is mature enough to step into an NBA lineup this fall and contribute at a high level. Defensive concerns scare me but he could find a role as an off-the-bench spot-up shooter who can go on a real heater. Devin Carter is just a dog and gives shades of Tony Allen. A relentless defender with a developing 3-point shot, Carter’s work ethic and tenacity have a place on next year’s team. I can see him step in alongside Vince Williams Jr. and cutting off someone’s water. My favorite thing is that he just does all the little things well. He is a guard who isn’t afraid to rebound, will find the open cutting lane, attack defensively, and his high motor skills are intriguing. All things the Grizzlies could use on a championship-contending team like they will have. Plus, it doesn’t hurt to have your father (Grizzlies assistant coach Anthony Carter) as one of your bench coaches.

If drafting on upside I think the picks are either Ron Holland or Nikola Topic. Holland is an explosive scorer, who at 18 years old gives GG Jackson-type potential. A former high school phenom, Holland led a terrible G League Ignite team in scoring and showed flashes of greatness with potential for more. Holland has a lot of raw talent but with some patience could be the next home run Grizzlies draft pick. Nikola Topic is another big Serbian guard who can get downhill and score at the rim. His high basketball IQ helps mitigate a developing long-range shot, and his 6’6” frame could put on more weight at the next level. Of the four players I mentioned he is the one with the most growth ahead as he is also only 18 years old. On size alone he could be a real diamond in the rough but would need patience from the team to fully develop his skill set.

Luke Hatmaker: Dalton Knecht first. Should Luke Kennard walk, Knecht could provide a cheaper—and the potential to be a better—option. He’s NBA-ready and gives the Grizzlies more shooting… Which they are in desperate need of. Toss him into a second unit comprised of Brandon Clarke, Vince Williams Jr., and GG Jackson II? That would make for one helluva bench mob in the Western Conference.

After the center position, which position would you like the Grizzlies to settle in this draft?

Xavier Dotson: A steady backup shooting guard. Two years ago the Grizzlies extended John Konchar to be the focal backup SG and his game has pretty much plateaued since the extension. I believe Zach Kleiman can find a diamond in the rough in the 2nd round of this draft to be the backup shooting guard.

Evan Hayes: The Grizzlies don’t necessarily “need” another position outside of center but I would like them to fill out the wing rotation. Behind Marcus Smart, GG Jackson, and Vince Williams Jr. I feel like they need one more wing to be a match-up nightmare for their opponents. Hence, why I want Memphis to draft Ron Holland. All of these guys can play multiple positions and defend multiple positions which will help put Memphis over the hump.

Francis Carlota: More wing depth. Ron Holland, Dalton Knecht, Matas Buzelis, Cody Williams, Tidjane Salaun, Tristan Da Silva, there are many intriguing options for the Grizzlies if they choose another path to getting a center. Versatility is mega-important for today’s NBA. The more versatile wings the Grizz can acquire, the better. We all know of last season’s injury issues. Of course, I hope for a clean bill of health next season, or as close to that as possible. But if injuries occur to Smart, Bane, Kennard, and/or Vince again, it won’t hurt to have more depth at the NBA’s most valued position.

Chris Ingram: Wing! A big wing and his name is Ron Holland for me. If the Grizzlies strike out on the big(s) of their choice and he is on the board, you do everything you can to get him and him only. I know Kleiman talked about not tripling down on youth and he’s one of the youngest players in this draft, however, no one else in this draft projects a higher ceiling than him currently outside of maybe Alex Sarr. He won’t be “ready” for a few years possibly, but with the Grizzlies becoming a tax-paying team, they need as much cost-controlled high-end talent as possible.