After entering the draft, the Memphis Grizzlies landed two second-round picks and picked Ivan Rabb and Dillon Brooks. Could they be second-round steals?
NBA Draft Night, and the days leading up to it, is a time full of mixed emotions for basketball fans, analysts, and prospects alike. Last-minute trades in exchange for draft picks could happen at any minute. Fans are on their toes, staring at their Twitter timeline and anxiously waiting for big moves. Leading up to Thursday night, the Memphis Grizzlies didn’t have a pick, leaving fans with nothing to be excited about. However, GM Chris Wallace made two surprising moves, exchanging two future second round picks for two late-second round draft picks.
Ivan Rabb – Forward out of California
At 35th overall, the Grizz selected sophomore Ivan Rabb from the University of California. Averaging 14 points and 10 rebounds per game with a 48.4 percent field goal percentage, Rabb has potential as a go-to rebounder and post-scoring option. With JaMychal Green’s potential departure and Jarell Martin’s inconsistency, the team is given an additional defensive asset. Rabb’s performance in the upcoming summer league season will determine his placement in Fizdale’s rotations during the regular season.
Dillon Brooks – Guard out of Oregon
At 45th overall, the Grizz chose junior Dillon Brooks from the University of Oregon. Brooks averaged 16 points and nearly three assists last season, leading his team to their first Final Four tournament in nearly 80 years. Brooks’ three-year experience in the NCAA adds a maturity aspect that the Grizzlies didn’t have in previous picks (i.e. Baldwin, Davis).
Related Story: Memphis Grizzlies draft prospects: Dillon Brooks
Potential Replacements?
With Wade Baldwin and Jarell Martin’s underwhelming performances in the 2016-17 regular season, it seems as if the front office started the search for more reliable options at the guard and forward positions. Barring a terrible summer league performance, Brooks could become a secondary playmaker or the starting shooting guard.
JaMychal Green’s free agency is one of the biggest stories within the franchise this summer, and it seems that Chris Wallace is preparing for his absence by picking Rabb. His rebounding, post-scoring ability and potential defensive contributions could be a huge bonus for the team.
In conclusion, the front office turned nothing into something with the two late-second round pickups. However, this team is far from being complete. There are several more moves the Grizzlies need to make to be seen as a force to be reckoned with during this upcoming season. Impending free agents, Troy Daniels’ inconsistency as a shooting guard, and Baldwin’s lack of production in limited minutes are just a few problems the Grizz are facing this offseason.
The front office now has several important decisions to make in the next few months.