It’s too early to give up on Wade Baldwin, even after a lackluster rookie season for the Memphis Grizzlies. His potential could make him worth the gamble.
Since the career-ending injury to Mario Chalmers in 2016, the Memphis Grizzlies have yet to solve the problem of the backup point guard. They drafted Wade Baldwin in the first round in hopes of finding a young player to hold it down while Conley catches his breath.
Baldwin’s first two buckets were a spot-up 3 from the top of the arc and a vicious dunk against Minnesota. In that game, he gave us a reason to believe that a Memphis draft pick will finally pan out and not go to waste. Baldwin was the first player in NBA history since 1983-84 with a 5×3 stat line in NBA debut.
Uninspiring Rookie Season
Since his historic, Baldwin didn’t have anything to show for in his first season with the team.
Every now and then, he showed glimpses of what he might have, but he ultimately never got it going. He faced competition for that backup spot from Andrew Harrison, who was a rookie who previously spent a year in the D-League. When Conley went down with the back injury, Baldwin didn’t impress, losing Fizdale’s trust.
Baldwin spent most of his rookie between Grizzlies’ bench and the D-League. There wasn’t any consistency from the coaching staff on whether to give him set amount of minutes with the Memphis Grizzlies or let him grow in the D-League. I’m not blaming coach David Fizdale or his staff for his dull rookie season, but they sure didn’t help.
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Worth The Gamble
Baldwin has to keep working on his game, more importantly his shooting, to become a solid role player in the upcoming season for the Memphis Grizzlies. Just like any prospect and young NBA player, there are pros and cons to continuing trusting them and giving them solid minutes. In the case of Wade Baldwin, there are three main pros and cons of giving him a bigger role next year.
Pros of playing him more:
- He’s an athletic combo guard that can be developed into a solid NBA player with more playing time. After a down rookie year for Wade, he’s tested the NBA water and should be ready to start swimming next season.
- He makes Andrew Harrison play his butt off. Both of them know they have to earn every minute they get. A bigger role for Baldwin next season will push Harrison even harder. With Tony Allen’s free agency status and age being a factor, there are minutes available for Baldwin and Harrison. A competition between these two players will be best for the team in the long run.
- Make the Grizzlies first-round pick a success for once! Trusting and continuing the development of Wade Baldwin, alongside Deyonta Davis, must be a priority for the team. Instead of waste salary cap space on a mediocre combo guard to back up Conley, give Baldwin a the role. Evaluate him midseason, and then they’ll have a better picture of Baldwin and his role in the team.
Cons and aspects to improve on:
- Wade Baldwin hasn’t shown signs that he seizes the opportunity when given. That was on display when Conley went down with his back injury. Since then, he wasn’t part of the Grizzlies’ rotations and spent most of his time in Iowa.
- Really bad shooter! Baldwin shot 31.3 percent from the field and 13 percent from the 3-point line. That’s not close to being impressive. He needs to develop his shot if he wants to see the court.
- Wade Baldwin was turnover-prone during the 405 minutes he played last season. He averaged 1.2 turnovers to his 1.8 assists. In order to stay on the floor, he needs to take care of the basketball.
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Flip For The Future!
Wade Baldwin might not be a guarantee, but he’s definitely worth the gamble. An expanded role and a mentor like Mike Conley would help build his character as an NBA player.
He’s a coin flip but, with the right attitude, guidance and coaching, he might come around.
With the Grizzlies’ sticky cap space situation and lack of a pick, developing a promising young prospect like Baldwin might be worth it.