After the Marcus Smart trade was agreed to and reported late Wednesday night, the 2023 NBA Draft got less interesting for the Memphis Grizzlies. The #25 pick was no longer theirs, and Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman and company did not trade back in to the 1st round. They waited patiently for their next selection to come at #45, and they made their pick at that point.
Memphis selected GG Jackson, Forward, South Carolina.
Jackson is a former top recruit in college basketball, but he was inconsistent both on and off the floor at South Carolina. When on, he appeared to be a 1st round NBA Draft talent. But his interactions with teammates and coaches, plus his inability to be a steady hand for South Carolina, was concerning.
He’s a gifted talent – our Bryson Wright covered his game well in our prospect profile series. And assuming GG spends most of his time with the G-League Memphis Hustle on a two-way contract, there are certainly worse ways to use the #45 pick. If he works out, he may be one of the steals of the 2023 NBA Draft. If not, no harm no foul – it was a long-shot possibility to hit any way.
A low-risk, high-reward swing for the fence from Memphis in their first second round selection. Given the roster crunch, such a selection makes a lot of sense for the Grizzlies.