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5 Players The Memphis Grizzlies Should Target at #17

By Parker Fleming

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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This year’s pick is the highest for the Memphis Grizzlies since 2010. Will they turn around their draft misfortunes and draft a future contributor?

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Memphis Grizzlies fans have a reasonable reason to be anxious over the next two weeks leading up to the draft. Year after year, the Memphis Grizzlies have made the questionable moves on draft night that haven’t been working out.

In 2008, they traded the rights to double-double machine Kevin Love, one of the best power forwards of this past half-decade, for high school phenom O.J. Mayo.

2009 was the year of the infamous selection of Hasheem Thabeet over perennial MVP candidates Stephen Curry and James Harden, while also giving up on one of the best role players in the game, DeMarre Carroll.

In 2010, they drafted Xavier Henry over Eric Bledsoe and Avery Bradley, two elite perimeter defenders who can also shoot the 3 ball, and gave up on a quality backup point guard in Grievis Vasquez.

The Memphis Grizzlies selected Tony Wroten over Draymond Green in 2012.

Former coach Dave Joerger wanted to draft Rodney Hood over Jordan Adams in 2014; this pick looks foolish right now, but Jordan Adams hasn’t gotten to prove anything because of lack of playing time due to rotation and injury issues.

While it may hurt to realize Curry/Bradley/Green/Love/Gasol starting 5 could have won some titles, the Memphis Grizzlies need to use this draft to turn their fortunes around for the future.

They may not find superstar talent at this point in the draft; however, they can find a valuable fixture in the rotation for years to come.

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