Memphis Grizzlies Draft: Wade Baldwin IV, Deyonta Davis The Future
The Memphis Grizzlies surprisingly had a great draft night, snagging up Wade Baldwin IV and Deyonta Davis. Are they potential cornerstones for the Grizz?
Wade Baldwin IV and Deyonta Davis were potential lottery picks. Luckily for the Grizzlies, they were available at the 17th and 31st picks. In all honesty, they Grizzlies had a great draft. Wade Baldwin IV has the potential to be a two-way star in this league.
Deyonta Davis displayed elite shot-blocking in college (1.8 blocks in 18.6 minutes per game; 3.9 blocks per 40 minutes) and has shown the tools to expand his range on the offensive end.
The Grizzlies had four draft picks, two that are locks for the roster this season and two that are draft-and-stash picks.
Wang Zhelin
At the 57th pick, the Grizzlies selected Wang Zhelin, a 7’0″, 251-pound big man from China. With other NBA-ready prospects on the board, this pick seems questionable.
However, with their abundance of young guys and the possibility of making splashes in the free agency, stashing the 57th pick seems like a good idea. Zhelin may never come over to the NBA.
If he ever does come to the NBA, he will serve a Hamed Haddadi or Jake Tsakalidis-type role, where he uses his size to grab rebounds, score an occasional bucket or two and use six fouls.
Rade Zagorac
Rade Zagorac is an intriguing prospect who can make an impact for a future Grizzlies team. Zagorac is different from the stereotypical 3-point shooting European player.
He can create for himself and for others, while also displaying the ability to push the ball in transition and to attack the basket.
Zagorac can carve a role similar to Spanish player Rudy Fernandez, a playmaking wing off the bench who can delivery a punch when a team is in need of one.
Deyonta Davis
Deyonta Davis was acquired at the 31st pick after a trade with Boston. Davis was viewed by many, including Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace, as a “potential lottery pick.” He somehow slipped all the way to the second round to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Davis has great size at 6’11” with a 7’2″ wingspan, while also being agile and athletic enough to run the court. With his defensive potential and quickness, he can easily switch onto guards in the pick-and-roll, something that has become a commodity in today’s NBA.
In addition, he can catch-and-finish anywhere, which should suit him well in Memphis. Davis has a fluid jump shot, which could lead to him expanding his range.
Learning under Marc Gasol, fellow Spartan Zach Randolph, and Brandan Wright, Davis can easily display that lottery-hype as he is going into the NBA with a chip on his shoulder. If he can reach his lottery ceiling, he can carve a role similar to Serge Ibaka or Tristian Thompson.
Wade Baldwin IV
Wade Baldwin IV out of Vanderbilt University has the potential to be a star in this league. At 6’4″ with a 6’11” wingspan, he has the potential to be a matchup nightmare at point guard while also being able to cover shooting guards without a problem.
Baldwin also displayed a smooth shooting stroke with a 3-point shooting percent north of 40 percent. His defensive potential and 3-point shooting ability should bode well if the Grizzlies retain Mike Conley. Furthermore, Wade Baldwin IV can also serve as Conley’s backup point guard.
He may have had issues with his coach at Vanderbilt; however, new Grizzlies coach David Fizdale is known for player development and relationships. Maybe under Fizdale, Baldwin will thrive and unleash his high potential.
Maybe, he can reach the self-proclaimed Russell Westbrook comparison. If he primarily plays point guard, George Hill seems like a reasonable comparison. If he plays more shooting guard, Baldwin can easily be the next Avery Bradley.
The Grizzlies had themselves a great draft on paper. It is now up to the coaching staff and the organization to turn Wade Baldwin IV and Deyonta Davis into cornerstones for a team in need of future stars.