How should Grizzlies work the second round of NBA draft?
The Memphis Grizzlies hold the 45th and 56th picks in the 2023 NBA Draft. How should they operate with them?
The Memphis Grizzlies currently hold the 45th and 56th picks in this week’s NBA draft. Obviously, the Grizzlies move around more often than not, as their original picks are usually not their actual ones.
However, they’ve used second-round picks to identify value:
2020: 40th pick was used to trade up for Xavier Tillman
2021: The Grizzlies went from 51st overall pick, to 40th (from the Jonas Valanciunas, Steven Adams, 10/17 swap), to 30th to select Santi Aldama
2022: The Grizzlies used the 47th pick to nab Vince Williams Jr. on a 2-year two-way deal, and he flashed upside as an effective 3-and-D wing.
With 14 players currently on the roster, and 3 draft picks this week, they will have to maneuver around. However, with the new CBA, there are now 3 two-way spots — and the Grizzlies currently have one open, as Williams and Jacob Gillyard hold down 2 of those contracts.
The second-round could be another opportunity for the Grizzlies to find value when building this roster around the margins, especially as the roster is getting more expensive with extensions on Jaren Jackson Jr., Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, and (soon) Desmond Bane.
To forgo the ‘191’ format here, the Grizzlies should look to find value, particularly on a two-way deal. There isn’t room on the roster for a second-round player to be on the full-time roster, unless they deal the 25th pick completely out for a veteran.
There are three ways to go here:
Move a pick(s) for future second-round picks — which also helps them in future dealing (Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard were players acquired for future second-rounders)
Put 1 or 2 of the second-round picks on a two-way — 2 would require waiving 1 of Williams/Gillyard
Use one of the picks on a draft-and-stash player
For more concrete options, I lay out the different players and options for the Grizzlies in the range of picks 45 and 56.
9 options around 45 + 56th picks
Use them to chase a player in the 30’s - low 40’s (if a roster spot opens up and 1st round pick isn’t used). This only holds the “1st” option, because they’re getting better talent. Anyone they acquire with a 2nd round pick should be on 1 of the 3 two-way contracts. However, if extra roster spots open up, they could chase someone they like in the second round. Names that stand out? Jordan Walsh (tenacious defender with live-dribble potential), Kobe Brown (a big-bodied bucket-getter climbing up boards), or Ben Sheppard (a creating wing getting more draft buzz after playing at Belmont University). Marcus Sasser is a sneaky name to watch here as well, especially if the Grizzlies move on from Tyus Jones.
Julian Strawther, Gonzaga. Strawther’s drawbacks as a defender may hinder him from fully a 3-and-D wing, but the shooting (40.8% on 5.3 attempts per game) is legitimate enough to make him a good buy in the 2nd-round. He may be redundant with the Grizzlies’ abundance of wings, but if they could get him on a two-way in his first season, that’d allow for stuff to sort out in that logjam.
Tristan Vukcevic. You could never go wrong with size and shooting, and Vukcevic caught NBA teams by surprise with his outside shooting at the NBA Draft combine. At 7’0”, he’d be an intriguing target in the second-round.
Keyonte Johnson, Kansas State. What a story — after collapsing on the court due to a heart condition in 2020, he’s cleared for the NBA after playing a pivotal role with a really good Kansas State. He could be a steal in this range, as he’s a tough 3-and-D wing that can attack closeouts.
Seth Lundy, Penn State. Lundy got more draft buzz after he showcased his shooting prowess at the draft combine, along with a +6 wingspan (6’4” with a 6’10” wingspan). He has more refining that’s needed, but he could become more of a 2/3 combo wing with G League reps.
Jalen Slawson, Furman. Let’s run the résumé real quick: 23 years old, 61.1% on 2’s in college, 39.4% from 3 last year, 7.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 3.0 stocks (1.5 steals + 1.5 blocks). Fits the Grizzlies bill to a T. He has intriguing size (6’7”, 7’0” wingspan) for a 3-and-D wing.
Colin Castleton, Florida. The Grizzlies’ center prospects don’t have a ton of height, so that’s where Castleton comes in. At 7’0”, he has really strong passing (3.0 assists) and shot-blocking (3.0 blocks) for his size. He’s worth a flier in the second round, and could be someone to have on a two-way while the big man rotation gets sorted out.
Hunter Tyson, Clemson. Tyson has great size (6’8”) for a 3-point shooter, as he connected on 40.5% of his 3’s this season. He also generated nearly 10 rebounds a game and shows upside as a smart off-ball mover both inside and outside the arc.
Terquavion Smith, NC State. Smith probably should’ve come into the draft last year when he generated 1st-round buzz, and he’s incredibly tiny for the NBA (6’3”, 165 pounds). However, the perimeter shot creation is lethal — 35.2% from 3 on 8 attempts per game. There are questions about his defense and scoring inside the arc. If available around these picks, he could use a “redshirt” two-way deal in the G League where he could become more of a combo guard, while also bulking up.
The Memphis Grizzlies could get creative in the second round. Nonetheless, I’d bank on them using 1 of their second-round picks to acquire their 3rd two-way spot, demonstrating their knack for finding value around the margins.
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