The Memphis Grizzlies are all talking about it as the NBA Draft draws near. On Wednesday, the Grizzlies will take the sixteenth pick in the first round into Barclays Centre.
On Thursday, they will have two selections in the second round, and their possibilities will be as varied as the impressive array of top prospects that have gathered in New York.
According to league officials, well-known draft pundits, and multiple players headed to the NBA, Memphis has not made any moves that might be seen as indicating its intentions for the draft.
But considering their recent moves and growing stash of assets, the Grizzlies approach their immediate next steps with as much flexibility as any team on the draft board. Duke phenom Cooper Flagg is a lock to go to Dallas as the No. 1 pick in Wednesday night.
There’s a general consensus around the next group of seven players, in no particular order, who are likely to be chosen in the top eight of the lottery. But after that, ESPN senior draft analyst Jonathan Givony believes, the talent flattens out over the next 10 prospects.
That’s a key reason Givony insists the Grizzlies are in an ideal spot to land a lottery-level talent with the No. 16 pick, should Memphis keep the selection and not package it in another trade. The Grizzlies obtained the No. 16 pick, in addition to three future first-round selections, in the trade earlier this month that sent guard Desmond Bane to Orlando.
As part of that deal, Memphis acquired veteran wing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and point guard Cole Anthony
It all begins at No. 16, according to Givony, even if they had several excellent options for Bane. If they need immediate assistance next season, they can find someone there. It is difficult to tell who of these players ends up where between the ninth and twentieth picks. It seems that Memphis values a profile that has a history of finding and developing talent. In the midst of this initial round, I perceive a great deal of value. At No. 16, they’ll find some talented players.
A versatile 6-foot-6 athlete whose ranking has risen in recent weeks, Givony’s most recent mock draft on ESPN.com has Memphis draughting Washington State swingman Cedric Coward. After transferring from Eastern Washington, Coward played in just six games for WSU before having to undergo season-ending shoulder surgery.
During Tuesday’s pre-draft media day, Coward revealed to Grind City Media that he had a Monday workout with the Grizzlies before his arrival in New York.
Coward made a strong impression at last month’s NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, where his wingspan of 7 feet and 2 inches and standing reach of 8 feet and 10 inches generated interest, and he also visited multiple more clubs after that.
Memphis is a great place, man,” said Coward, who committed to transfer to Duke for next season but opted to remain in the draft after solidifying his first-round status. “It was really competitive, good energy and the coaching staff and front office were great. It’s just what you want when you surround yourself with basketball-positive people. They talked a little (trash) during the workout, but I let my game do the talking. And that was the best part.”
Coward was limited in his recent workouts as he progresses through the final stages of rehab, and is scheduled start full scrimmage activities in the coming weeks. He shot 39.2-percent on 3-pointers over his career and averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists last season.
The Grizzlies have also worked out at least two other top prospects invited to New York to attend the draft. Colorado State swingman Nique Clifford and French center Joan Beringer also acknowledged visiting with the Grizzlies during pre-draft preparations.
“The initial reaction to the Grizzlies’ recent moves is, ‘Oh, you trade your second or third-best player (Bane), so now it’s going to be a tear-down,” said Bobby Marks, a former NBA front-office official. The two players you brought back right away, Cole and KCP, are (productive), therefore I don’t see it that way. Along with all those options, you have flexibility. That’s what makes it so special. If you’re going to stay at No. 16, you might as well do it correctly, especially in terms of frontcourt depth. However, there will be a whole roster from which to choose.
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