Memphis Grizzlies almost picked Nikola Jokic in 2014 draft

In ESPN’s Zach Lowe column, you learned a lot of fascinating facts from Chris Wallace. What if I told you the Memphis Grizzlies almost drafted Nikola Jokic?

Zach Lowe had a phenomenal column on the Memphis Grizzlies, and their past, present and future. If you’re anything like me, you probably had mixed emotions about what you learned in the article. For starters, Marc Gasol isn’t demanding a trade, which creates less dysfunction and turmoil but also a glimmer of stability — however you look at it. Chris Wallace is fascinated by how many young players are on the team, but “quality over quantity” should definitely be recognized. He also thinks the window with Marc Gasol and Mike Conley is wide open, despite the 8-20 record and the influx of talented teams in the Western Conference.

Lowe points out the mini success with finding guys like JaMychal Green, Wayne Selden, James Ennis and Tyreke Evans. However, you also find out on the players they either had or missed out on. Who falls in that category? Former Grizzly players James Johnson, Hassan Whiteside DeMarre Carroll, Marreese Speights and Wayne Ellington. They were also the “first NBA team hot” on 3-point marksman Joe Ingles.

You’re also reminded of the ugly draft history.

More particularly, you find out interesting tidbits from past draft nights. They were in a debate over Jordan Adams and Rodney Hood; and of course, the Grizzlies draft the injured player who’s no longer in the league over the guy who’s establishing himself as a scorer in this league. You learned that they tried to trade up for TJ Warren — a solid perimeter scorer — but to no avail. The most frustrating news comes here:

"They purchased the rights to the 35th pick in that draft, and used it on Jarnell Stokes. He’s gone from the NBA, too. They thought hard about selecting Nikola Jokic, sources say, but felt No. 35 was too high."

If you live under a rock and don’t know who Nikola Jokic is, he’s one of the brightest young centers in basketball. He possesses a nice scoring touch and is a passing wizard for a big man. He’s averaging a double-double, 15.5 points and 10.6 rebounds, and is shooting 40.6 percent from deep on 3.3 attempts per game.

Before I go in depth on my frustration from this mishap and how he would’ve fit on the Grizzlies, let’s go to Twitter real quick:

Reaction

Why do you have to do this to me?

If you don’t know already, I’m a huge critic on the Grizzlies’ drafting. Imagining what could’ve been with guys like Kevin Love (WE HAD HIM!), Steph Curry (who the team was actually really high on), Draymond Green (who again was on the Grizzlies’ radar), Rodney Hood (Dave Joerger’s golden boy) and now Nikola Jokic.

GO WITH YOUR GUT! 

The excuse for Jokic was him “being too early” at 35. Well, hometown product Jarnell Stokes isn’t even in the league anymore, so good judge of talent.

Granted, no one knew Jokic would be this good, but wow he would’ve been incredible to have in Memphis. Just look at his passes:

Jokic is the kind of player they could’ve actually built around for the future — we’re already seeing  it in Denver. Instead, the Grizzlies are becoming victims to his beatdowns.

As we marvel at his brilliance, what could’ve been?

His Fit

Jokic waited a year when coming over to the NBA, but in 2015-16, he would’ve been a bright spot in a dark year.

In the 2015-16 season, he would’ve been the third big man at best, but the Grizzlies experienced a plethora of season-ending injuries — more notably, Gasol and Conley — that would’ve opened up time for him. People recognized his potential after the All-Star break as he averaged 10.8 points, nine rebounds and 3.3 assists. As injuries piled up, the Grizzlies could’ve found a diamond in the rough.

With Jokic’s elite court vision, they could’ve experimented with a frontcourt pairing with him and Gasol. It could’ve either moved Randolph to the bench or triggered a trade. The Grizzlies are experiencing the brutality of giving up Randolph for nothing, and Jokic’s emergence could’ve encouraged a trade.

Both Gasol and Jokic are two of the best passing big men in basketball. An offense around these two players could’ve been absolutely beautiful.

If the Grizzlies decided it was time to move on from Gasol, they would’ve had Jokic — a young center who might be better than him at this point — waiting in the wings.

Next: Grizz should deal Marc

Closing Remarks

What could’ve been?

Another question we’re asking because of yet another draft blunder. With the team struggling and about to rely on the draft for the future, another failed story leaves me and the rest of the fans scared for more post-draft heartbreak.