Having no pick in the Top 20 of the 2022 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies do not seem to be among the big players in the ceremony which will take place tonight. But think again, Memphis has gotten used to trade-up in recent years and has the potential to move up the pick hierarchy yet again.
No picks in the Top 20, but two at the end of the first round. By having the 22nd and the 29th choice, the Grizzlies have the means to set up a package allowing them to climb to the Draft in order to potentially integrate the zone of lottery picks. And according to BasketballNewswhich is based on sources Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer, they not only have the means but also the desire. This does not really surprise us because the Tennessee franchise has become a specialist in trade-up during the last years. Last year, for example, the tenth choice Ziaire Williams was recovered by the Grizzlies who released the Pelicans the pick #17 and #51 (as part of a more global trade involving Steven Adams and Jonas Valanciunas). Brandon Clarke – 21st pick in 2019 – was also picked up via a trade-up (against pick #23 and a second-round pick), ditto for Desmond Bane in 2020 (30th pick against two second-round picks) and Xavier Tillman (35th pick against pick #40 and a second-round pick). Suffice to say that there is a good history, and we can therefore think that the franchise of Memphis will try a similar blow this night. But to go up where? And recover what? Here are the big questions.
According to The Ringer, the Grizzlies could for example aim for pick #11 of the Knicks, who obviously do not know what to do with it for the moment. In recent days, we also learned that Memphis really wanted to embed itself in discussions with the Kings and the famous pick #4, who could become Jaden Ivey. Of course, it will take a lot more than picks #22 and #29 to climb this high in the Draft, but the Grizz also have the means to offer already assertive players like Dillon Brooks, Brandon Clarke or to a lesser extent De’Anthony Melton. Brooks (salary of 11 million next season) and Melton (9 million per year until 2024) have fairly easily transferable contracts and the first will enter the last year of his deal next season. As for Clarke, he is currently under his rookie contract but will necessarily receive a big increase on his next deal given the last Playoffs he released. Who knows, maybe we’ll see one or more of these guys leave Memphis in the near future, even though they’re a big part of Grizzlies DNA today. With the XXL extension awaiting Ja Morant and Tyus Jones who is a free agent this summer, Memphis will really have to lengthen the tickets to hope to retain its core members, but not sure there is room for everyone. finally. That’s why getting a promising youngster under a rookie contract can be a great deal…
The Grizzlies will never stop being ambitious and they can be counted on to be active behind the scenes at the ceremony tonight. Will it translate into a new trade-up families ? It’s not guaranteed but knowing them, it’s still very possible.
Source texte : BasketballNews / The Ringer
???? The Grizzlies continue to want to go up to the Draft (picks 22 + 29).
There have been some rumors around De’Anthoy Melton, less about Dillon Brooks.
The management of Memphis is aware that it will soon have to pay several young people, it can quickly explode financially. pic.twitter.com/toOFw4YYD0
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) June 22, 2022
