Official Grizzlies Draft Thread

The Grizzlies have the #19 pick in the draft this year and no second rounders, so all discussion about their pick should go in this thread.

<u>Needs</u>

Center - The Grizzlies' primary need would be a Center, mainly because backup Center Stromile Swift is leaving through Free Agency. Although it has been said that the Grizzlies are turning away from their 10-man-rotation next season, they are still going to need a Center other than Lorenzen Wright. Jake Tsakalidis is big, but that's about all that he's good for. I wouldn't put too much stock in him next year. The Free Agent market is also pretty weak for Centers who would sign at a MLE.

Point Guard - Jason Williams is more than likely on his way out, so this becomes our second greatest need. You also have to consider that Earl Watson is a Free Agent and is expected to at the very least test the waters. That leaves us with solely Antonio Burks as our Point Guard next year, who is far from ready to play many minutes on the NBA level. However, Center is still the greater need because we will likely get a Point Guard in return for Williams, or we can at least sign a decent one in Free Agency with a MLE.

Power Forward - The Grizzlies have Pau Gasol, but other than that, they don't really have a Power Forward. Brian Cardinal may naturally be a Power Forward, but he's too undersized to cut it there much longer. With the depth of talented college Power Forwards in this year's draft, I would love to see the Grizzlies take care of this need.

BPA - It would make sense for the Grizzlies to just draft the Best Player Available at this point, regardless of position. They have not really had much success in the past when they draft based on team needs. Just look at when they took Robert Archibald over Carlos Boozer. It's important that we get a player who can contribute in the NBA and not just someone who will fill a role for one or two seasons.

<u>Prospects</u>

1) Chris Taft - Recently Taft's stock has taken some serious hits after unmotivated workouts in New York. Teams question his heart and effort. So why do I think he'd be the best prospect for the Grizzlies? Simple, he has the biggest upside. Out of all the players I think might be available, he's the only one who can be a Carlos Boozer or an Elton Brand. There's definitely a risk, but you can gamble at #19.
2) Dee Brown - Brown is probably the most underrated player in the draft for one reason, he's 5-11. That wouldn't be such a problem if he played consistently at Point Guard, but Brown played Shooting Guard at Illinois, so teams are questioning his abilities to run the point. However, I think it's obvious that the talent and ability is there. Surprisingly, the Grizzlies haven't showed much interest to Brown yet, but if they work him out, they'll be impressed.
3) Ike Diogu - He recently measured in a lot taller than previously thought, so his stock might even be higher than the #19 pick right now, but the guy is a beast. He's got everything you love from a post player and would be a great energy player to have when Gasol goes to the bench.
4) Julius Hodge - I like Hodge's versatility and his ability to play three positions. He'd be nice insurance to have if Williams and Watson don't yield anything, and he'd also be nice to have as a replacement for Bonzi Wells.
5) Sean May - I'd like to have him in the post with Wright. I think that'd be a pretty intimidating frontcourt; two big-bodied, tough, reboundind big men. He's got loads of experience under his belt from North Carolina and has the potential to be a Zach Randolph type of player; a guy who is undersized but uses his bulk and footwork to be a dominant rebounding presence.
6) Roko Ukic - I haven't personally seen this kid play, so I'm unsure about him, but I like everything that i have read about him. He'd the highest ranked Point Guard available, and the Grizzlies could really use one.
7) Andrew Bynum - I wasn't really impressed with what I saw from him in the McDonald's All-American Game, but the the kid's size is very intriguing. He's a legit 7-0'er and has the potential to be a very solid contributer in the NBA. With such a great need for a Center, he might not be such a bad pick.
8) Rashad McCants - With Mike Miller and James Posey, the last thing we need is a Shooting Guard, but McCants would most likely be the best player available if he were to slip to #19. He has "attitude problems", whatever that means, but talent is talent.

<u>Rumors</u>

- The Grizzlies might look to draft an international player and keep him overseas for a few years while they clear up some cap room.

- The Grizzlies are interested in trading their pick for cash.

- The Grizzlies are interested in trading their pick for two second rounders.

- The Grizzlies are interested in trading their pick, along with Jason Williams, for a higher pick in the draft.

Grizzlies Draft History
2004: #36 - Andre Emmett, #37 - Antonio Burks, #50 - Sergey Lishchuk
2003: #16 - Troy Bell, #20 - Dahntay Jones
2002: #4 - Drew Gooden, #32 - Robert Archibald, #48 - Chris Owens
2001: #3 - Pau Gasol, #6 - Shane Battier, #33 - Will Solomon, #48 - Antonis Fotsis
2000: #2 - Stromile Swift
1999: #2 - Steve Francis, #37 - Obinna Ekezie
1998: #2 - Mike Bibby, #56 - J.R. Henderson
1997: #4 - Antonio Daniels, #53 - C.J. Bruton
1996: #3 - Shareef Abdur-Rahim, #22 - Roy Rogers, #51 - Chris Robinson
1995: #6 - Bryant Reeves, #36 - Lawrence Moten

<u>History of the #19 Pick (10 years)</u>
2004: Dorell Wright
2003: Aleksandar Pavlovic
2002: Ryan Humphrey
2001: Zach Randolph
2000: Jamaal Magloire
1999: Quincy Lewis
1998: Pat Garrity
1997: Scott Pollard
1996: Walter McCarty
1995: Randolph Childress

 

http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_12935.shtml

Word now is that the Rockets and Grizz have a deal cooking up.

Rockets would send David Wesley, Bob Sura and future draft considerations for the 19th pick and Bonzi Wells.

VC, what do you think of that?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_12935.shtml

Word now is that the Rockets and Grizz have a deal cooking up.

Rockets would send David Wesley, Bob Sura and future draft considerations for the 19th pick and Bonzi Wells.

VC, what do you think of that?</div>

If it was just Wesley and Sura for Bonzi, I'd love to do the deal. Bonzi Wells is already leaving, so it'd at least be nice to get <u>something</u> for him. However, when you throw the #19 pick in there, it's a whole nother story. I feel like this year's draft is particularly deep and is the kind of draft where you can get the next Zach Randolph with at #19. Guys like May, Bynum, Simien, Diogu, and Taft might all be available, and the Grizzlies really need guys like them. I also don't like the idea of getting two players who are a few years away from retirement. No matter how effective they were with Houston last year, once you cut their minutes in half and take into consideration the effects age has on your game, I don't think they'd be all that great for us.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">If it was just Wesley and Sura for Bonzi, I'd love to do the deal. Bonzi Wells is already leaving, so it'd at least be nice to get <u>something</u> for him. However, when you throw the #19 pick in there, it's a whole nother story. I feel like this year's draft is particularly deep and is the kind of draft where you can get the next Zach Randolph with at #19. Guys like May, Bynum, Simien, Diogu, and Taft might all be available, and the Grizzlies really need guys like them. I also don't like the idea of getting two players who are a few years away from retirement. No matter how effective they were with Houston last year, once you cut their minutes in half and take into consideration the effects age has on your game, I don't think they'd be all that great for us.</div>
The only reason that I could see West doing this deal for is in anticipation of the departures of Watson and Williams in the summer. Both Sura and Wesley could play point guard and the move would be just shoring the position up. I do agree, the 19th pick this year is as good as a lottery pick any other year, and with so many potential players dropping in stock, you could end up with a future star.

To say the truth, I won't be too thrilled about this deal as a Rockets fan either. Bonzi Wells is very talented but his season has been crap with Fratello. With Jeff Van Gundy as a similar disciplinarian, Wells could very well do just as bad with the Rockets, which would blow the deal. The player picked with the 19th pick would also be hard pressed to produce right away, especially if it was a point guard. Without Sura and Wesley, it would leave Houston only with Mike James and Moochie Norris, neither of whom are reliable starting point guards. The rookie would face high expectations and might find it hard to live up to them.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">The only reason that I could see West doing this deal for is in anticipation of the departures of Watson and Williams in the summer. Both Sura and Wesley could play point guard and the move would be just shoring the position up. I do agree, the 19th pick this year is as good as a lottery pick any other year, and with so many potential players dropping in stock, you could end up with a future star.

To say the truth, I won't be too thrilled about this deal as a Rockets fan either. Bonzi Wells is very talented but his season has been crap with Fratello. With Jeff Van Gundy as a similar disciplinarian, Wells could very well do just as bad with the Rockets, which would blow the deal. The player picked with the 19th pick would also be hard pressed to produce right away, especially if it was a point guard. Without Sura and Wesley, it would leave Houston only with Mike James and Moochie Norris, neither of whom are reliable starting point guards. The rookie would face high expectations and might find it hard to live up to them.</div>

Well, I believe that if we trade Jason Williams, we'll definitely get a Point Guard in return, so that's not a big concern for me. From Houston's perspective, I'd love the deal. Wells didn't have a problem with discipline in Memphis. He had a problem with playing time. He never produced in Memphis, because he never got half the playing time he would in Houston. If you put him on Houston, he could easily be a 15 ppg player again. They could also package the #19 pick with their current pick to move up into the late lottery. Maybe a team like Minnesota, who has been deprived of youth and draft picks in the past few years, would bite on that. Or Charlotte may even do that deal, with only five or six players under contract at the moment.

 

That would be a nice trade with Charlotte, their 13th pick for your 19th, and Bonzi Wells. Or if they want to 2nd rounders, trade the 19th pick for the 34th, 60th, and Raul Lopez(Since Williams and Watson are leaving).

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Voodoo Child:</div><div class="quote_post">Well, I believe that if we trade Jason Williams, we'll definitely get a Point Guard in return, so that's not a big concern for me. From Houston's perspective, I'd love the deal. Wells didn't have a problem with discipline in Memphis. He had a problem with playing time. He never produced in Memphis, because he never got half the playing time he would in Houston. If you put him on Houston, he could easily be a 15 ppg player again. They could also package the #19 pick with their current pick to move up into the late lottery. Maybe a team like Minnesota, who has been deprived of youth and draft picks in the past few years, would bite on that. Or Charlotte may even do that deal, with only five or six players under contract at the moment.</div>
I don't know about that from a Rockets POV. If we do trade away Sura and Wesley, the draft priority would shift from power forward to point guard. Although moving up to maybe 13th could help Houston land Jarrett Jack or someone of the sorts, it would still leave the team with a hole to fill at the four. It would be much easier just to draft a power forward like Turiaf or Diogu at 24th and leave the PG as it is.

 

Hmm, what about the Raptors and their 2 second rounder? As a raps fan i might consider it,though our second rounders could turn out to be Nate Robinson and Daniel Ewing, or one of those and Juan Mendez. hmm...sure would be nice for the Raps to pick 7th, 16th AND 19th. Might even then be able to trade the 16th and 19th for a high pick...who knows. i love rumours

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 02civic:</div><div class="quote_post">Hmm, what about the Raptors and their 2 second rounder? As a raps fan i might consider it,though our second rounders could turn out to be Nate Robinson and Daniel Ewing, or one of those and Juan Mendez. hmm...sure would be nice for the Raps to pick 7th, 16th AND 19th. Might even then be able to trade the 16th and 19th for a high pick...who knows. i love rumours</div>

I'm not a fan of the idea of trading for the #38 and #58. In my opinion, the #19 pick is worth more. That #58 pick is pretty much a throw-away pick. You're talking about a player like Andrew Bynum versus a package of players like Donell Taylor and Uros Slokar. It's just not worth it.

I am a fan of trading for the #37 and #39 picks (owned by the Lakers). Anything under 40 or 45 is pretty much a first rounder this year, so I'd view it as trading a mid-first round pick for two late-first round picks, a steal. How great would it be able to turn our pick into Ronny Turiaf and Louis Williams, two players who we'd look at with the #19?

 

Grizz Workout Blatche, Morris, Miles, and D.Miller

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES DIRECTOR OF PLAYER PERSONNEL TONY BARONE SR.

On today?s workouts? "Today was the first day where we had a workout with ?bigs? and guards, so we did a lot with them in terms of pick and rolls, drags, screens, and things that are done in the NBA that they?re not really used to. This group really assimilated what we wanted them to do in drill work and then carried it over into the live work. They?re really talented kids. As far as leadership, Aaron Miles has great leadership. The Kansas team and the Kansas program really brings out those kinds of kids. Andray Blatche, the young kid from South Kent Prep, is going to be a good player. He?s athletic and runs the court well. If you look at his test scores, they won?t be the type that you say ?oh my goodness, he?s a great athlete.? He is going to be a good, multi-position player. He can play the three or four for sure. We?ve had Darnell (Miller) on our radar because Scott Adubato, our scout from Atlanta, has seen him a number of times. He?s a very physical player and he stepped in against guys that have played against a much higher level of competition and was very competitive today."</div>

http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlie...uts-050604.html

Blatche would actually be an interesting player to draft. He's an unknown to many of us, not playing in either the McDonald's All-American game or the Nike Hoops Summit, but he had a huge game in the Jordan Classic. I have to see more of him myself to be sold on him, but we could use his size downlow.

 

Grizzlies workout B.Gaye, May, Roberts, and Simien

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On the reasoning behind bringing Lawrence Roberts back for a second workout? "We like him. We think he?s a very good player, and with the level of competition today with (Wayne) Simien, (Sean) May and Badou (Gaye) we thought it was a good opportunity for Lawrence to come back in and go up against those guys. He has really good bounce, is really physical ? which is what we liked about him, and he can really run the court. I think he?s a very good NBA prospect. Today he competed very well."

On Sean May? "When you have a guy that?s been on a national championship team, you see why they win. He has a high, high basketball IQ ? top of the line IQ. He knows how to read the screens, knows how to play high-low basketball and understands spacing. All of the things he?s been taught at North Carolina step out in a situation like this. I don?t think size or body type have anything to do with this kid. He is a wonderful shooter and he really understands how to play the game. He understands spacing in the game and how to get position and score over ?bigs?."

On Wayne Simien? "Again you?re dealing with players that come out of those programs with a high IQ. These two (Simien and May) might have had the highest IQ of anybody we?ve had since we started the workouts. He?s a very good shooter. I think he?s a surprising shooter from 15 feet. He?s really worked on that part of his game. He?s very physical, very strong and runs the court well. There?s no question about his prospect as an NBA player."</div>

http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlie...uts-050614.html

I saw the footage of the workout on the news tonight, and I was very impressed with how fast all of the big men were. They showed a clip of Sean May running the length of the floor for a dunk, and he looked very trim and athletic compared to the Sean May we saw last March, so I assume he's been working hard on his body. I'm really starting to like him as a potential #19 pick.

 

Grizzlies workout D.Ewing, D.Spencer, and C.Thomas

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">On today's workouts? "I don?t think he (Chris Thomas) has ever missed a game. I think he started every game of his career at Notre Dame, so we like that about him. (Daniel) Ewing is an interesting guy because he?s a combo guard. At 6-4 or 6-3 and some change, you really have to look at him. He?s a very good shooter, and he?s going to be able to run the team. He?s not a pure point guard, but he can run your team. A guy who can play two positions, especially a one-two, is an attractive prospect as far as we?re concerned."

On bringing in guards as opposed to forwards? "I think that you identify the fact that we need a ?big?, we need a rebounder and someone who can go in there and blast on the boards, there?s no question about that. That?s a need that we have. Now we can try and fill that need in a lot of different ways. Maybe we have a bigger two-guard, or a quicker three-man, but it?s an area that we have to take care of. At the same time, we know the situation with the rest of our team. We have to watch and look at every guard that we can look at and see if there?s someone out there who is going to be able to be a point guard, and maybe a two guard at the same time. That?s just good business."</div>

http://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/grizzlie...uts-050615.html