5 Things to Learn from the Finals

2. Don’t Waste Draft Picks

Out of Golden State’s starting five of Curry-Thompson-Barnes-Green-Bogut, four them were drafted by the Warriors. The Warriors used 3 straight lottery picks on Curry, Thompson, and Barnes.

They also used late first- and early second-round picks on Festus Ezeli and Draymond Green, the former a key part of their bench and the latter regarded as a top 10 player in the league.

Cleveland’s starting lineup of Irving-Smith-James-Love-Thompson has two (technically three, even though LeBron returned as a free agent) players the team originally drafted.

Barring the exception of oft-injured Jordan Adams and last year’s draft pick Jarrell Martin, there is not a single player originally drafted by the Grizzlies since Mike Conley was drafted in 2007.

With Conley possibly leaving, the Grizzlies would be wise looking at either another point guard in Wade Baldwin IV, Tyler Ulis, Demetrius Jackson, or Dejounte Murray. They could also opt for a scoring/playmaking wing in Denzel Valentine, Malik Beasley, or Malachi Richardson.

While it would be phenomenal to pick an eventual star at No. 17, the Memphis Grizzlies don’t have the pressure of finding the next star player on their team. At No. 17, they need to find a guy who can complement their current core or an eventual core, if they choose to start over.

Even if the pick is not a long-term piece, it could be used in a trade for a solid player. Golden State used Monta Ellis to nab Andrew Bogut. Cleveland turned Dion Waiters, Anthony Bennett and Andrew Wiggins into J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert, and Kevin Love.

The Memphis Grizzlies need to find someone who can either be a key piece or a key asset to the team.

Next: 1. Reset