Grizzlies select Karim Lopez by reportedly trading back 5 spots and acquiring 5 second-round picks.
The Memphis Grizzlies traded the 16th pick to OKC for the 17th pick and two second-round picks, then 17th to the Pistons for the 21st pick and three second-round picks, per Shams Charania.
WE HAVE A TRADE!
Just not the one everyone thinks.
And again…
This is the first time Zach Kleiman has ever traded down in a draft.
They selected Karim Lopez, the NBL forward from Mexico, with the 21st pick.
I will write more on the fit next week with more film and numbers. However, I’ll give 5 quick points.
The Grizzlies got solid value from trading back 5 spots. They increased their pool of second-round picks from 6 to 11. A lot of the teams with a ton of assets — including some of the league’s elite… Oklahoma City, San Antonio, Detroit … all have 10+ second-round picks.
Karim Lopez is going to be a solid wing due to his defensive event creation, driving ability, and defensive versatility.
There’s merit to this game that he’s someone who’s already fit into a role in a professional setting.
He provides a lot of positional size as a 3 and 4 — although the shot needs to be more consistent to play more minutes at the former.
There’s been an emphasis on positional size and physicality in the playoffs, and Lopez fits the mold. I think he can play a role similar to Carter Bryant.
The Grizzlies could use a shot on combo forwards with positional size, defensive versatility, and rebounding abilities. Lopez is a teenager prospect with two years of professional basketball under his belt, and that shouldn’t be overlooked.
The Grizzlies extracted value with recouping some more assets, then took a shot on tools that are valuable in today’s NBA. Good maneuvering.
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I like him as GG back up, he is another big wing woth different tools