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News - Memphis Grizzlies - Rootsey
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Draft Plans
Kyle Anderson (basketball) - Wikipedia" class="selected " title="Kyle Anderson (basketball) - Wikipedia" style="width: 640px; height: 987px;">Well its just around the corner and the lottery winning Grizzlies have some decisions to make about how to lift thier team from being playoff losers into the upper echelons of the Western Conference where they feel they belong. The mooted trade for #1 for #3 and #6 is pending the Grizzlies getting positive as soon as possible. Expect to hear GM Rootsey giving his best Stephen A Smith impression, trying to entertain while knowing next to nothing about the people being drafted during the draft cast tomorrow. With that trade it does give GM Rootsey some reason to do some research into the top, middle and end of the draft.
#3
The Grizzlies have their sight set on Stephon Castle with this pick, as rumours have it that Sarr and Risacher will be off the board. The strong wing who has made his name through helpig his team the to the NCAA title this season by his hard nosed defence and connective passing. Defence has always been something the Grizzlies try to build their identity around, but we've been missing a Point of Attack defender for the Point Guard position since trading away Conley 18months ago. With Castle hopefully eligible for the PG position the 6'6" guard should be able to do the job effectively. The drafting of Castle to San Antonio in the NBA has also raised his stock in the draft as he can be mentored by Chris Paul, and Pop, and he has a path to immediate minutes. Some of the interviews Castle has taken have shown him to be almost Kawhi Leonard in his mentality aswell, so we hope to see a similar development path for him under Pop.
Passing on Reed Sheppard is a difficult decision though, mostly due to his size and length. The lights out shooter should get chosen in the next few picks because he matches his ability to be a flamethrower with some significant hops and good offball defensive awareness. The challenge will be as a point of attack where if he is isolated he may find himself overmatched.
#6
The Grizzlies expect to see Sheppard off the board here, but if he slips through he will be one of the options at this position. The other choice is NBA Grizzlies draft pick Zach Edey. While projected to be slow footed on defence he has shown proven growth year on year through out college, has a massive frame and strength, has a soft touch around the hoop and is a developing free throw shooter. While Edey may be limited on the defensive end due to his foot speed, the Grizzlies can't help but imagine a Enes Freedom/Steven Adams type player, who both have been fantastic archetypes from the NSL Grizzlies history. Plus winning matters. Edey has lead his team through to the NCAA final, while losing to the #3 pick he was the focal point of the offense with nothing much else happening around him. He played hard with limited breaks and showed a determined spirit. We don't project Edey to be an all star, but as a high value rotation piece at less cost than market price on his rookie deal.
#33
There are a few players that are in the mix for this pick. Every year the Grizzlies try to get a pick in this range to pick up any sliders from the NBA draft, and while someone like AJ Johnson or Pacome Dadiet is predicted (by me) to slide in our draft, the Grizz might pass them up still. This early part of the second round has Kyle Filipowski, Johnny Furphy, Juan Nunez, Bobi Klintman, Jaylen Wells, and Adem Bona who have all piqued the front offices interest for a variety of reasons. Whether they are NBA sliders (Furphy and Filipowski), or the best pick and roll point guard (Nunez) in the draft, home town favourites (Klintman from Cairns, or Wells from Memphis), or just a super raw energy guy (Bona). We will see who is available to us at that point and make a tough decision from there.
#59
We will pick a slider or a post draft signee, or maybe just trade it so we can afford to try keep Kyle Anderson.