Led by 2020 Rookie of the Year Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzles are a respectable young team primed to be playoff contenders for years to come.
This year, they’ll have to improve in a different, as they only have the 40th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. Yet, because there’s such a thing as a team having too much youth, Memphis shouldn’t be disappointed by not having a higher draft pick (or more draft picks).
The team’s biggest offseason decision this year will be how to handle Josh Jackson’s free agency.
Jackson, the fourth overall pick in 2017, had the worst season of his young career in 2019-20 but is still just 23-years-old and brimming with potential. After averaging 16.6 points per game in March, Jackson showed that he could be a major piece of Memphis’ core.
Related: Full Memphis Grizzlies 2020 Salary Cap Preview
2020 NBA Draft Picks
| No. 40 overall |
Grizzlies Draft Needs
Memphis is a middling team on both sides of the ball but where they really need help is on the perimeter.
The Grizzlies finished the 2019-20 season ranked 23rd in 3-point percentage (.347) and 24th in 3-point attempts per game (31.5) on offense. On defense, Memphis was ranked 24th in 3-point percentage (.365) and 25th in 3-point attempts per game (35.3).
With only three rotation players that were above-average shooters from deep last season (Grayson Allen, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Tyus Jones), the most simple way for the Grizzlies to use their second-round pick is on a 3-and-D prospect. If none that Memphis likes are available when they’re on the clock, then a strong perimeter defender would be more useful than a strong shooter.
2020 NBA Draft Prospect Watchlist
| No. 40 overall |
| G-F Robert Woodard II, Mississippi St. |
| F Tyler Bey, Colorado |
| SG Desmond Bane, Texas Christian |
| SG Cassius Stanley, Duke |
| SF Jordan Nwora, Louisville |
What The Mocks Are Saying
| The Athletic | Tyler Bey (No. 40) |
Projected Roster
| PG | Ja Morant |
| PG | Tyus Jones |
| SG | Grayson Allen |
| SG | Marko Guduric |
| G-F | Dillon Brooks |
| G-F | Justise Winslow |
| F | Kyle Anderson |
| PF | Brandon Clarke |
| F-C | Jontay Porter |
| C | Jaren Jackson Jr. |
| C | Jonas Valanciunas |
| C | Gorgui Dieng |
