Donovan Mitchell is everything Memphis Grizzlies wanted Wade Baldwin to be

The Memphis Grizzlies failed on their last first-round experiment. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz are benefiting from a player with a similar scouting report.

“Memphis probably just got the grittiest, grindiest player in the draft.” “A potential elite defender.” “Competitive Baldwin drawing comparisons to Westbrook.”

These were some of the things said about Wade Baldwin around the 2016 draft. Almost a year and a half later, the Memphis Grizzlies gave up on him.

The vision was clear for the Grizzlies’ plan with Baldwin. If Conley walked in free agency, they had a young point guard — which would signal a new era. When Conley stayed, he was the answer at the backup point guard spot — and a good backcourt mate with Conley as well. By his college shooting percentages and his unbelievable measurements, he had the potential to evolve into a solid 3&D point guard. When Conley went out and the season went awry, Baldwin was supposed to benefit from it and grow as a NBA-caliber point guard.

Instead, immaturity and a lack of development led to his demise — and they favored a washed up Mario Chalmers.

Now, we just wait and see what Baldwin becomes, hoping he doesn’t end up becoming another player the Grizzlies gave up on too quickly.

In this game, the Memphis Grizzlies will go up against the Utah Jazz. After Gordon Hayward left in free agency, it was hard to find hope for this franchise. Instead, rookie Donovan Mitchell has emerged as a future star, keeping Utah in the playoff picture.

Ironically, Mitchell entered the draft with a similar profile to Wade Baldwin. He’s a guard with crazy measurements (6’3″ with a 6’10” wingspan) who could evolve into a two-way terror. Draft analysts projected them to be 3-point threats in the NBA — though Baldwin had the higher college percentage. Both players were lauded for their elite athleticism and explosiveness. Baldwin and Mitchell  both received comparisons to All-Star guards.

Next: 5 players Grizzlies should've drafted instead of Baldwin

All these similarities but …

The similarities are there, but the on-court product is on two different ends of the spectrum. However, they both entered into extremely different situations.

Baldwin was expected to be the backup point guard — a permanent role he isn’t used to — for a playoff team. Meanwhile, the expectations for Mitchell were to be a scoring punch off the bench for a likely lottery team.

Alternatively, Baldwin disappointed in his lone season in Memphis, while Mitchell looks like a future superstar.

I’m also not saying Baldwin could’ve been as good as Donovan Mitchell. I’m simply saying, Mitchell is what the Grizzlies were wanting out of Wade Baldwin — given they had similar pre-draft profiles. From the time he entered the league, Grizzly veterans praised his competitiveness, explosiveness, work ethic and athleticism. At last year’s media day, Randolph even dubbed him the nickname, “Lil Westbrook.”

Now, as the season goes awry and a rebuild is on the horizon, we never know what Baldwin could’ve been. Instead, we’re watching Donovan Mitchell’s rise, wishing Baldwin could’ve been like him.