Memphis Grizzlies: 5 Worst Picks in Franchise History
No. 1: Hasheem Thabeet (No. 2 in 2009)
Get your tissue boxes fans.
The Memphis Grizzlies whiffed big here – literally. They decide to draft 7’3″ center Hasheem Thabeet out of Connecticut. Many thought he could be the next Mutombo, but the naysayers are laughing at them now.
In his rookie season, he averaged 3.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and 2.4 fouls per game in 13 minutes a game. He lasted half of his sophomore season before getting shipped to Houston for longtime fan favorite Shane Battier.
Let’s just cut to the chase and say who the Grizzlies passed on.
Who they could’ve had instead
With these players, they would’ve served as the second-unit option before replacing Conley or Mayo – whichever busted first.
DeMar DeRozan went ninth to Toronto and could’ve been a great sixth man before starting alongside Rudy and Conley.
University of Memphis product Tyreke Evans would’ve been a solid secondary playmaker in the Grizzlies’ second unit. He could’ve been called upon as a point guard, shooting guard or even the small forward.
James Harden was picked right after Thabeet and could’ve formed a scary good backcourt with Mike Conley.
Robert Dozier, the 60th pick in the draft, would’ve been an upgrade over Thabeet.
More importantly, a scrawny kid from a mid-Major school by the name of Stephen Curry was picked with the seventh pick by the Warriors. Many in the organization were huge fans, but they couldn’t find a way to trade down for him. If they just would’ve trusted their gut and reached for him, they could’ve landed one of this generation’s top superstars. In fact, he would’ve put Memphis on the map, and maybe Kevin Durant would’ve joined a 73-win Grizzly team after getting knocked out by them in the Western Conference finals. It might have led to them moving Conley, but a talent like Curry will come around once in a lifetime.
In this draft, the Grizzlies missed out on a big chance to transform into one of the league’s top contenders and potentially bring the first major championship to the state of Tennessee.
Next: Memphis Grizzlies: All-Bust Team
Don’t worry. We’ll highlight the good draft picks soon.