Memphis Grizzlies Draft Prospects: Stephen Zimmerman
This offseason is huge for the Memphis Grizzlies and their future. Is Stephen Zimmerman a good long-term pick for the Grizzlies?
The Memphis Grizzlies have put themselves in a hole for the future because of their poor drafting. They infamously drafted Hasheem Thabeet over MVP candidates Stephen Curry and James Harden in 2009.
They drafted Tony Wroten over Draymond Green, a major key for a title-winning team, in 2011. In 2014, they drafted injury-prone Jordan Adams over Rodney Hood, a shooter who would have fulfilled the Grizzlies’ gaping 3-point hole.
In 2016, they must draft well to establish a future core. They have Jarrell Martin and (possibly) Jordan Adams. How about they look at someone to replace Marc Gasol in the future? Maybe UNLV big Stephen Zimmerman?
Zimmerman was highly touted out of high school for his mobility and shooting touch for his size. Zimmerman is 7-feet with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and 9-foot-1 standing reach. His draft stock took a hit after being misused at UNLV.
His size and length is perfect for the center position; however, his weight right now makes him more serviceable as a stretch 4.
After once being seen as a lower lottery pick, he has been projected as a late first-round pick. That is OK for Zimmerman. Because of his projected position, he doesn’t have the pressure to produce immediately.
Instead, he can get court time in the D-League or learn under current big men for playoff teams. With the right team and the right time, he can develop into a solid starting center. Zimmerman averaged roughly 16 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks per 40 minutes.
His potential for being a defensive anchor and post machine is there. On the offensive end, Zimmerman being left-handed brings some unorthodoxy to this post. He just needs to add strength to hang in there with NBA big men.
This video displays his mobility, post game, rebounding abilities and defensive presence against international talent at his age.
How does Zimmerman fit with the Grizzlies short-term and long-term?
Next year, he more than likely won’t see much floor time. However, he will have the opportunity to learn under All-NBA center Marc Gasol and Brandan Wright, one of the best backup centers in the past half-decade.
Under Gasol, Zimmerman will learn how to anchor a defense as a center, one of Gasol’s best attributes that led him to being named the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year, and how to pass out of the low and high post.
Passing out of the high post will be a major key for Zimmerman as he will able to stretch the floor. Under Wright, Zimmerman will learn how to work the pick-and-roll as well as finishing above the rim.
If incumbent point guard Mike Conley returns and Mario Chalmers is brought back, he will have two excellent pick-and-roll partners.
Long-term, he will help the Grizzlies transition into the modern NBA alongside promising power forward Martin. Together, they will bring some athleticism and bounce into the frontcourt, two things Gasol and Zach Randolph are not necessarily known for.
Zimmerman’s shooting and shot-blocking will fit the new stretch-5 model and provide the Grizzlies with much-needed spacing.
Best case scenario, Zimmerman develops into a stretch-5 big man like Myles Turner and Kristaps Porzingis. Through this, he becomes a solid second or third option in a starting rotation while anchoring a defensive with his length and motor.
If this is the case, Zimmerman can be a borderline All-Star in the prime years of his career.
Worst case scenario, the physicality of the league is too much for Zimmerman to strive. However, his shot-blocking and ability to run the floor makes him a big man journeyman for his career, similar to Spencer Hawes and Wright.
Most likely, Zimmerman will spend his rookie year at the end of the bench or the D-League. With time, he can develop into a solid starting center that anchors the defense for a playoff team.
If Zimmerman can learn under some of the NBA’s best big man, he can reach his ceiling that scouts were raving about during his high school career.