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If Gasol Bolts, Will Memphis Grizzlies Pursue Duke’s Okafor?

By Christian Dudley

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Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) drives against Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) in the second half in the 2015 NCAA Men

The Memphis Grizzlies might need to scout Duke University’s freshman phenom and NCAA National Champion Jahlil Okafor if they think Marc Gasol is as good as gone.

While the Memphis Grizzlies are focused–as they should be–on winning their first ever NBA World Championship this season, the idea of losing their All-Star center, Marc Gasol, lingers in the back of their minds.

While it seems most reasonable that Big Spain will stay in Memphis beyond this season, many rumors have been floating around of which teams–such as the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks–will make bids for the versatile center.

Say worse comes to worst.

Apr 4, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies cetner Marc Gasol (33) shoots over Washington Wizards center Marcin Gortat (4) in the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

What if, hypothetically, Marc Gasol does bolt from Memphis, Tennessee and head to either the Big Apple or the Lone Star State? The Grizzlies will be in major trouble if they cannot find a valid replacement.

My suggestion? Memphis should then look toward the NBA Draft. Yes, take a youngster in the first round. Perhaps the Memphis Grizzlies will need to attempt a sign-and-trade of Gasol to obtain a top pick in the NBA Draft. Coincidently, the Knicks have the NBA’s worst record, so mathematically, they own the greatest chance of landing the #1 overall pick in this upcoming summer’s NBA Draft.

Say the Memphis Grizzlies piece together a sign-and-trade of Marc Gasol to the New York Knicks for a packaged deal that includes M-Town receiving the #1 pick. Who would the Memphis Grizzlies choose?

There are plenty of big men in the upcoming draft, assuming quite a few of the University of Kentucky’s nearly-undefeated studs opt to leave school early for the NBA. But rather than drafting a Wildcat, last night’s NCAA Basketball Men’s Championship Game featured a very intriguing prospect that potentially fits the mold of what the Memphis Grizzlies would need.

Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) lays the ball up past Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) during the second half in the 2015 NCAA Men

The player? Duke University’s #15–Jahlil Okafor. He is a freshman that will most likely be leaving school to head to the NBA. It is almost a certainty that he will be selected within the first few picks of the NBA Draft, if he does not in fact see his name picked No. 1 overall.

Scoring is Jahlil Okafor’s forte. Even at just 19 years of age, he has already developed a fairly decent offensive game when he catches the ball down low. They say you cannot teach size, and Okafor is a such a gem to NBA Draft experts because of the combination of his footwork and skills with his size and overpowering strength.

It remains to be seen how Jahlil Okafor will be able to pass and playmake out of double-teams in the post once he gets to the NBA where he will face a plethora of opponents that can match–and exceed–him in both size and strength. While some critics wonder if he will blunder against NBA talent, he did destroy a notable NBA big man and former No. 3 overall draft pick in the past.

Okafor has had critics also question his defensive abilities. Through all of the basketball he has played thus far, the young star has not had much of a reason go 100% on the defensive end due to his offensive skillset and the size differential.

Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor hugs a teammate after defeating the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2015 NCAA Men

Ideally, the Grizzlies’ organization and the entire fan base for sure wants to retain Marc Gasol, but Jahlil Okafor looks to have all of the makings of a future elite center in the NBA. He will be a great player, but how great? Can he get down with the grit and grind of the Memphis Grizzlies?

Hopefully Big Spain stays at home and the Grizz have no more worries about losing their beloved center to another team.

It’s about to be an interesting summer in Grizz Nation, but will it be one centered around an NBA Finals trophy?

Go Grizz!

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