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Early Mock Drafts Pertaining to the Memphis Grizzlies’ Pick

By Christian Dudley

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Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver addresses the crowd before the start of the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The 2015 NBA Draft is drawing near and the Memphis Grizzlies will soon be on the clock with their first round selection at 25th overall.  

We are just days away from the month of June which will be highlighted by the 2015 NBA Draft–to be held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Pre-draft workouts for the prospects have just begun early this past week and all NBA teams will soon be ramping up their schedules of workouts with the NBA Draft hopefuls.

The Memphis Grizzlies own the 25th pick in the first round of this summer’s NBA Draft, which will occur on June 25th. Who will they select? Will they keep their selection or will they trade the pick? We may not know until Draft Day and/or when the Grizzlies’ clock starts to tick.

For now, we will assume the Grizzlies will retain their future selection. Who may be on their radar? Beale Street Bears has researched other outlets’ initial picks prior to June and this is what we have found (below), which of course should and will change immensely over the course of the coming weeks.

Source: FanSided

Predicted 25th Pick Selection: Terry Rozier, Point Guard (Louisville)

Source: USA Today

Predicted 25th Pick Selection: R.J. Hunter, Shooting Guard (Georgia State)

Source: Draft Express

Predicted 25th Pick Selection: Robert Upshaw, Center (Washington)

Source: Bleacher Report

Predicted 25th Pick Selection: Delon Wright, Guard (Utah)

Source: HoopsHype

Predicted 25th Pick Selection: Tyus Jones, Point Guard (Duke)

Source: Sports Illustrated

Predicted 25th Pick Selection: Jerian Grant, Guard (Notre Dame)

Overview

This crop of prospects is very interesting this season. Toward the top of the talent list, there are a few players that could turn out to be NBA All-Stars. Following them, there is a large quantity of players that are amongst a similar talent level. It is looking as if there will be quite a few players that will be solid contributors for many years regardless of which NBA clubs they become assigned on June 25th. Even the second round looks to produce some solid pros and there may not be a significant drop-off in talent even by the trailing portion of the 2015 NBA Draft.

Apr 8, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarnell Stokes (1) dunks the ball in front of New Orleans Pelicans forward Dante Cunningham (44) during the game at FedExForum. Memphis Grizzlies beat New Orleans Pelicans 110-74. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

If Marc Gasol bolts this summer to another team, the Memphis Grizzlies will most definitely need someone to fill in at the five-position. Even if he stays, it is likely that Kosta Koufos will receive large contract offers from other teams. Can Jarnell Stokes develop into a starting-quality center or at the very least be a first big off the bench?

Then there is the issue at small forward. The Grizzlies have been running Tony Allen at small forward although he is more of a two-man. Jeff Green is a pure small forward, but he owns a player option this offseason and his decision is still up in the air at this point in time. If he opts out of his current contract, the Grizz will need to find a solid small forward–or two–as soon as possible. Can they grab a steal in the NBA Draft to fill this position?

Memphis also needs shooters to solidify their bench. They struggled all season long to come up with points from their reserves and that is a major key to their future hopes of more deep playoff runs. Can a potential draftee assist in crossing this matter off Memphis’ offseason list of needs?

June is a big month for the Memphis Grizzlies, although July will be much more important. With just one pick in the entire 2015 NBA Draft, the Grizz must select wisely if they intend to keep their pick.

Sometimes teams draft in a pattern over the years, and the Memphis Grizzlies have built a bit of one in recent drafts. They have been selecting a plethora of guards in the first round over the years, yet most have not lasted long in a Grizz uniform. Here is a list of the Grizzlies’ past several first round selections:

[table id=15 /]

Will history repeat itself yet again with the Memphis Grizzlies choosing a guard? The current mock drafts do not agree with each other at all on a player M-Town might select, which is understandable since there is still a lot of water to flow under the bridge.

At least the days are running down and the mock drafts are rolling out, so Grizz Nation will soon find out on June 25th!

Stay tuned to Beale Street Bears for the latest NBA Draft news and other offseason info regarding your Memphis Grizzlies!

Go Grizz!

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