Grizzlies: Top-9 Mock Draft 3.0
Grizzlies: Top-9 Mock Draft 3.0
The first-round of the NBA Draft is a week from today. How could the board shake out for the Memphis Grizzlies?
The NBA draft is a week away.
It’s felt like such a long offseason, especially with no postseason basketball in Memphis. Now, we’re about a week away from knowing what the Memphis Grizzlies are going to do with the draft.
Excited, anxious nervous, relatively calm. I’m sure those emotions have been felt from Grizzlies faithful.
For my 3rd edition of the top-9 mock draft, I have Bryce Simon help set the board for the top-8, while I gauge the options at 9. Bryce is a co-host on The Game Theory Podcast with Sam Vecenie, a co-host on Pistons Pulse with former Grizzlies beat writer Omari Sankofa, a contributor to Substack’s Basketball Bulletin, and the owner of the MotorCityHoops Substack.
Top-9 Mock 1.0 with Tyler Rucker
Top-9 Mock 2.0 with Keenan Womack
Atlanta Hawks - Alex Sarr
My best player throughout most of the cycle and I think he fits the roster once they eventually move on from Capela. I fully buy the defense and am a stronger believer in the offensive potential than most.
Washington Wizards - Donovan Clingan
Risacher is my BPA after Sarr goes off the board but I kind of like the wing room in Washington. Doesn’t mean they can’t always add more, I would be fine with it, but considering I have them extremely close and in the same tier I’ll go with a player who I think fills a really big void in Clingan. Sorry Grizzlies fans…perhaps a trade up?
Houston Rockets - Reed Sheppard
See above in regard to Risacher here. I would assume the Rockets would love to use this pick to go star hunting but if not they could see Sheppard as a replacement to FVV someday who fits really nicely with most of the young pieces already on the roster.
San Antonio Spurs - Zaccharie Risacher
Risacher is the 2nd ranked player on my board overall which makes this scenario an awesome outcome for the Spurs. Surrounding Wembanyama with 3-and-D wings that have plus size seems like a great recipe for success.
Detroit Pistons - Matas Buzelis
Anyone the Grizzlies want to trade up for here? I don’t love how the board has fallen for Detroit, and it terrifies me to add another player with shooting questions to the roster, but with the addition of Fred Vinson to the coaching staff, I’m more inclined to add a player who I believe does a lot of the other stuff at a positive for his role/archetype and would be a perfect fit for this roster if the shooting does improve.
Charlotte Hornets - Stephon Castle
Another player with some floor spacing concerns BUT in Charlotte he would be flanked by LaMelo Ball and Brandon Millers floor spacing. The idea of Castle being a connector between those two and taking on primary defensive matchups makes this one of the team/player situations I am starting to like more and more.
Portlan Trail Blazers - Dalton Knecht
I’ve been known to mock Knecht at this spot going back months and it continues to be one that I like. With that said, continuing to add perimeter players with defensive concerns is a fair argument against it. If that is the case then Ron Holland would be next up but for now I will stick with Knecht.
San Antonio Spurs - Nikola Topic
The recent knee injury is very unfortunate timing and will be interesting to see what it does to draft stock of Topic. It does not sway my belief that he can be a primary initiator of an offense in the NBA and that’s precisely what the Spurs need. With that said, I become a bigger fan of Devin Carter every day and could probably be talked into him here as well.
Options at 9
As a reminder, no trades in the mock draft. I have to pick at 9, no matter how I feel about the board. Since I’ve given my thoughts on the player overall, I’ll just give a quick spiel on their potential fit with the Grizzlies and value at 9.
“Upside Picks”
Ron Holland. Likely the best player on the board, but it’s unclear how early he could contribute to winning next season.
Rob Dillingham. He would provide an electrifying presence off the bench, but I’m not sure you could play him next to Ja Morant at all.
Yves Missi. He may not be ready for minutes day one, since he’s raw. However, his motor and explosiveness could suggest otherwise.
Cody Williams. He possesses “3-and-D+” upside, but it may take a bit for it to materialize — given his frame.
“Safer Picks”
Devin Carter. A popular pick, as his dad (Anthony Carter) is an assistant coach for the Grizzlies. His impact on winning would be profound with his defense, rebounding, and shooting. It might be a murkier fit for him than suggested with Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and Vince Williams in the mix.
Tristan Da Silva. He’s not the sexiest pick, but he could compete right away as a big shooting combo forward.
Zach Edey. He fills the Grizzlies’ gaps the easiest of all the players on the board with his size, screening, and rebounding.
Jared McCain. I don’t see it happening for Memphis, but he’s an awesome shooter with untapped creation upside. The fit just isn’t clear with Memphis.
Final Judgement: I’d likely go with Ron Holland as the best player available, hoping he can thrive quicker than expected in an environment with real NBA playmaking and structure.
My preferences: Holland, Carter, Da Silva, Missi, Edey, Williams, Dillingham, McCain
Follow Bryce for all his fantastic draft coverage on X (@MotorCityHoops), where you can find all his podcast episodes and more.
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