Would Wiseman or Achiuwa fit?
The Memphis Tigers are entering the 2019-20 season with two projected top-15 NBA draft picks on their roster who are likely to bring NBA scouts to Fedexforum.
Scouts from one NBA team will not have to travel far.
The Memphis Grizzlies are rebuilding around a young core of Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. and could add a top-six draft pick to the mix a year from now.
Would any of the elite freshmen recruited to Memphis by Penny Hardaway fit with the Grizzlies? Commercial Appeal sports writers David Cobb and Jason Munz corresponded about the topic recently.
Cobb: Hey Jason, I noticed you wrote recently about how several reputable outlets are projecting University of Memphis freshman James Wiseman to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft. Anyway, it got me thinking.
Munz: It got you thinking? Wow, I'm happy my articles are having such an impact on you.
Cobb: Well, it got me thinking about how James Wiseman could end up being a factor on my beat. Munz: I'm listening. Cobb: You're listening? Wow, I'm glad my words are having such an impact on you. You've been around this new Tigers team already and followed Wiseman's recruitment more closely than I did...this is a little crazy, but would Wiseman fit with the Grizzlies?
Munz: Sure – even if it might be a little awkward. Wiseman is talented enough that whatever team's lap he lands in would be foolish to not at least explore ways to make it work.
Some might say he and your best bud, Jaren Jackson Jr., are too similar and that JJJ would block Wiseman from the kind of playing time a high draft choice would warrant. To that I say, the Grizzlies' front office and coaching staff get paid the big bucks to figure those sorts of things out. You know what they say about good problems.
Cobb: To be clear, the Grizzlies will only keep their 2020 first-round draft pick if it's in the top six. Otherwise, it is owed to Boston. But since Wiseman is — by all accounts — a projected topfive pick, this idea is worth dreaming about. Jackson and Wiseman playing together would be unorthodox. But man, this city would go absolutely crazy for it.
Munz: Unorthodox in today's NBA? No question. Just crazy enough to work??? To be determined.
But I'm glad you brought up the situation the Grizzlies find themselves in with regard to the 2020 draft. Let me hit you with a hypothetical: the Grizzlies find themselves with one of the
David Cobb and Jason Munz Memphis Commercial Appeal USA TODAY NETWORK – TENNESSEE
first six picks in the draft and they don't believe Wiseman is the right fit or he doesn't fall to them wherever they are. There's actually another projected first-rounder on the Tigers' roster who could be a better fit for these Grizzlies, and his name is Precious Achiuwa. He's an athletic, aggressive 6-foot-9 prospect who projects at the 3 or 4 position.
Achiuwa seems to be a consensus top 15 pick in most 2020 mocks, but if he blows up at Memphis and starts shooting up the draft boards, he might make sense for the Grizzlies.
Cobb: Now we're talking. He would compliment Morant and Jackson beautifully. And if Precious develops a 3-point shot? Man, that could really be a formidable trio. In fact, one comparison I've seen with Achiuwa is Tobias Harris, who the Grizzlies are reportedly interested in as a free-agent. But what are the chances that Precious actually climbs into the top six of next year's draft?
Munz: It all depends on that jump shot. Achiuwa said recently he watches "a lot, a lot, a lot" of Kawhi Leonard tape. He's got a lot of similar attributes to the most recent NBA Finals MVP, but by most accounts he hasn't yet reached the level he needs to be at as an open shooter. If there's something that keeps him from becoming a top 6 or top 8 pick, that's gonna be it.
Cobb: Hmm. Reminds me a little bit of Nassir Little, who was regarded by some as a top-five pick entering last season and fell to 25th overall after shooting 27% from 3-point range as a North Carolina freshman.
Munz: Who knows? But there's something you said earlier in this here exercise re: Wiseman that I haven't been able to shake: "But man, this city would go absolutely crazy for it." You really think so?
Cobb: Are you kidding? OK, so Wiseman spent most of his youth in Nashville. So what? He's still an East High School graduate and one of the most-heralded recruits to ever choose the Tigers. Add him to the Grizzlies as a top-five pick and the potential is there for him to become the most-beloved basketball figure in this city's history. Or to at least come closer to Penny's status than anyone else ever has.
Munz: As per usual with our discussions, I couldn't have said it better.
Reach Grizzlies beat writer David Cobb at david.cobb@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @Davidwcobb.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.