Memphis Grizzlies Draft Prospects: Furkan Korkmaz
The Memphis Grizzlies have lacked 3-point shooting for the past half-decade. Can Turkish youngster Furkan Korkmaz bring much-needed shooting to the Grizz?
The Memphis Grizzlies haven’t had multiple three-point snipers on the team since the days of Mike Miller and Juan Carlos Navarro. Many fans will want the Grizzlies to use this year’s draft pick on a shooter.
The name is unfamiliar to American fans, but Turkish teenager Furkan Korkmaz fits the bill for the Grizzlies.
In a recent CBS Sports mock draft, the Grizzlies selected Furkan Korkmaz. Here was the insight on the pick:
"Korkmaz is a 6-7 wing who shoots better than 40 percent from 3-point range. He’s only 18. And he’s thin. So it might take him a year or two to make an impact. But the Grizzlies are an old team that can’t shoot. So it makes sense to add a young wing who can shoot."
The possibility of no immediate impact may scare fans from wanting this pick; however, his dynamic scoring may be an asset the Grizzlies can’t resist.
Korkmaz can score from just about anywhere. He has the athleticism to finish at the rim. He can knock down the three-ball both contested and uncontested. He can also score off the dribble. Korkmaz has a similar game to last year’s European swingman draft prospect Mario Hezonja.
One difference between the two is size. While they are close in height, Korkmaz only weighs 175 pounds. Because of his thin body, he may never get consistent minutes at the small forward spot. However, his height will allow him to rise up and get his shot off smaller shooting guards.
If he is the best player and best fit available, the Memphis Grizzlies should pick Furkan Korkmaz. He gives the Grizzlies a scoring punch that they haven’t had since Rudy Gay was traded.
In addition, if Jordan Adams doesn’t prove to be the shooting guard of the future, Korkmaz can easily take that title.
In order to stay in front of defenders at the NBA level, he will need to gain some weigh. However, his quickness and athleticism should allow him to play in short spurts.
With ball-hawking defenders Tony Allen, Matt Barnes (assuming he re-signs), and Lance Stephenson (if they choose to pick up his option), Korkmaz’s defensive liabilities can be masked, allowing him to focus on spacing the floor on offense.
Best-case scenario: Furkan Korkmaz’s athleticism and scoring abilities translates to the NBA, and he reaches the Gordon Hayward comparisons. In doing so, he’ll provide the Grizzlies with a much-needed scoring punch and three-point shooting from the wing position.
Korkmaz will be a cornerstone for a team looking to transition into the modern NBA.
Worst-case scenario: Furkan Korkmaz’s game never translates to the NBA. He will get bullied by bigger wings because of his weight and will struggle getting his shot off. After a few mediocre years in the league, he’ll move back to Europe to finish his career.
Most likely scenario: Furkan Korkmaz will serve as a starting shoot guard or dynamic sixth man for the majority of his career. In addition, he will become a 3-point marksman. While the Gordon Hayward comparisons may not be the most accurate, his game resembles Evan Fournier‘s style, a scorer who averages north of 15 points a game and shoots 40 percent from three-point land.
The Grizzlies had better get used to hearing this name. Because of his strengths and the Grizzlies needs, his name will be popping up a lot in the weeks leading up to the draft.