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Memphis Grizzlies: Luka Doncic is popular pick in post-tournament mock drafts

By Parker Fleming

BELGRADE, SERBIA - MARCH 30: Luka Doncic (L) of Real Madrid in action against Ognjen Dobric (R) of Crvena Zvezda during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season game between Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade and Real Madrid at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall on March 30, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA - MARCH 30: Luka Doncic (L) of Real Madrid in action against Ognjen Dobric (R) of Crvena Zvezda during the 2017/2018 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season game between Crvena Zvezda mts Belgrade and Real Madrid at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall on March 30, 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images) /
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As March Madness is done, mock drafts are everywhere, and most have Luka Doncic going to the Memphis Grizzlies. Isn’t that ideal?

The Memphis Grizzlies currently have the second-best lottery odds — or if you’re a pessimist, you refer to it as “the second-worst record.” Either way, that guarantees a top-five selection. As things stand in mock drafts though, the Grizzlies have the second pick.

Sports Illustrated and Bleacher Report released their mock drafts after the tournament, and they stick to one name for the Memphis Grizzlies: Luka Doncic.

The 6’8″ Slovenian has taken the Euroleague by storm, playing at a MVP-level at 18 — something unprecedented in that league. His combination of size, playmaking abilities and shooting make him an enticing prospect in this multi-positional NBA. There are concerns about his speed and defensive abilities. However, his offensive potential and his high floor hard to ignore.

What did these two mock drafts say about Luka Doncic’s fit with the Memphis Grizzlies?

Sports Illustrated

"As a down year winds to a close, the Grizzlies are at a bit of a crossroads, given Mike Conley and Marc Gasol are still dangerous when healthy and the latter is presently unsettled. This is a terrific fit for Doncic, whose size, feel and developed skill set would slot right in to help engineer a turnaround. His greatest strength is his on-court intelligence, and while he may not evolve into a dominant scorer, lessening that pressure while placing him alongside other great passers should bring out the best in him."

Mike Conley and Marc Gasol desperately need a third fiddle, and Luka Doncic could fill that role. Chandler Parsons probably won’t meet those expectations, and Tyreke Evans’ future with the Grizzlies is cloudy.

Insert Luka Doncic — someone that could carry this team going into the future.

Like Jeremy Woo said, Doncic may not become a dominant scorer. The Grizzlies don’t really need that from him though. They simply need an extra 14-16 points a game and some playmaking to complement Conley and Gasol.

With the Grizzlies’ situation, they could bounce right back into the playoffs — especially if Evans is back and Gasol, Conley and Parsons are healthy. That kind of situation is perfect for Doncic, as he can ease into the NBA game while still making an impact.

BONUS: Sports Illustrated also has the Grizzlies taking Villanova’s Donte DiVincenzo with the 32nd pick. Yes, the same Donte DiVincenzo that was the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player. Yes, that would be insanely awesome.

Bleacher Report

"The Memphis Grizzlies won’t be worrying about anything other than drafting the best player available at No. 2. And once Ayton is gone, it’s difficult to argue against Euroleague’s leader in player efficiency rating, per RealGM.com.The Grizzlies could start by playing Doncic alongside Mike Conley, given the Slovenian’s versatility as a 6’8″ combo who can facilitate or work off the ball as a shooter. But with Conley on the decline, both physically and offensively, Memphis would eventually turn the team over to Doncic."

Jonathan Wasserman is spot on about the Grizzlies’ draft situation and Conley’s future.

The Grizzlies need talent. There isn’t a glaring weakness on this team. They need perimeter scoring badly, as Tyreke Evans (free agent) and Dillon Brooks (second-round rookie) are the two best in that department. Conley and Gasol are aging, and finding understudies that could eventually take over might be a smart move. They have a plethora of young big men (JaMychal Green, Jarell Martin, Deyonta Davis and Ivan Rabb), but any of the bigs in the top-10 could probably step in and take the starting power forward position.

The Grizzlies need the best player available, and at this spot, it’s probably Doncic or Bagley.

In addition, Conley is 30 years old and is coming off a season-ending heel injury. No one knows how much longer he can play high-level basketball — yet alone be a NBA starting point guard. Doncic is one of the best — if not the best — playmaker in this draft. At 6’8″, he can be a special facilitator that could help the Grizzlies undergo a smooth transition to a more modern NBA.

Meanwhile, with Conley, Doncic could give him more off-ball looks, another scorer and another playmaker.

More from Grizzlies Draft

Closing Remarks

If the Memphis Grizzlies land Luka Doncic with the second pick, that would be a huge get for this team. They desperately need more playmaking, shooting and scoring on the wings — some of Doncic’s strengths.

Not to mention, if they also add DiVincenzo in the second round, they could find another steal that would bolster their wing depth.

The Grizzlies are in a position where they need talent. Nabbing these two guys in the draft could certainly help this team both next season and in the future.

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