Four ways Grizzlies can use fourth pick
In the two weeks since the NBA draft lottery revealed that the Grizzlies received the No. 4 overall pick, reports have pondered what the franchise might do with it.
The Grizzlies are exploring all options with the fourth pick, including a trade or exercising the selection. The front office sees elite talent in this draft, and multiple players and scenarios are being explored.
The Grizzlies have never opted out of a top-five pick while in Memphis. But no option can be ruled out. This much is true as well: Getting this pick right is vital as the Grizzlies don't have their first-round pick for 2019.
The first-round pick is protected from 1-8 in 2019. But the Grizzlies’ pick in 2020 is protected from 1-6. In 2021, the pick goes to Boston no matter where it falls.
Memphis hosted just two pre-draft workouts since the draft lottery and only one (Josh Okogie, Georgia Tech) is considered a prospect. He’ll likely be selected in the second round.
The Grizzlies own the 32nd overall pick.
Here are four scenarios for the Grizzles fourth pick in the first round of the NBA draft:
Trading up is unlikely
Memphis simply doesn’t have assets to move up in the draft. They can’t include an aging Marc Gasol (34 years old in January) or an injured Mike Conley (due more than $30 million next season) in a package with the fourth and 32nd pick. No team is likely to accept such a deal.
Trading out is possible
The Grizzlies continue to send signals that they might be willing to trade out of the draft for an established player who will allow them to compete next season with a healthy roster. Remember, Memphis has three players (Conley, Gasol and Chandler Parsons) tied up with maximum salary contracts. The franchise believes it can return to the playoffs during the 2018-19 season. Memphis would seek to hand over the fourth pick for a young, established allstar level player.
Exercising the fourth pick is most likely
Don’t be surprised if the Grizzlies select a player with the fourth overall pick. They can grab a quality, franchise-changing player. Mock drafts have the Grizzlies taking Marvin Bagley, Jaren Jackson, Michael Porter or European star Luka Doncic. Meanwhile, Oklahoma guard Trae Young led the nation in scoring and assists on average, and wouldn’t be a bad pick because of his ability to shoot from distance and play-make.
Trading down is still possible
There still is a belief that this draft is deep enough to envision a team moving down a few spots to still get a player it wants. The draft is lauded as being filled with at least 8-10 franchisechanging or all-star level players.