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Memphis Grizzlies: Take the pick without overthinking

By Brendan Smart

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 07: Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young (11) shoots a three in the first half of a first round matchup in the Big 12 Basketball Championship between the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys on March 7, 2018 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 07: Oklahoma Sooners guard Trae Young (11) shoots a three in the first half of a first round matchup in the Big 12 Basketball Championship between the Oklahoma Sooners and Oklahoma State Cowboys on March 7, 2018 at Sprint Center in Kansas City, MO. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Next Tuesday night, the Memphis Grizzlies will learn where they will be drafting in the NBA draft, and let’s hope that it is in the four or five range.

Why the four or five range?

I might be mistaken, but aren’t we building around Mike Conley and Marc Gasol? Correct, and there is only one guy that can fill the void in scoring department, and give Gasol space in the post. Trae Young. Currently projected number seven for some reason I’ll never know could help the Grizzlies win now.

Winning now is the right option, right?

According to General Manager Chris Wallace it is, and I think that they have the guys to take on some of the best teams in the NBA, but they need scoring. Scoring, something the Grizzlies haven’t had from a wing in a long time, and Young could do that.

Look deeper:

He takes some of the weight off of Conley and they can play together at times on the floor. Keep Mike fresh for the end of season runs that they will have to make, and win while doing so. Listen, I know a lot of people are out on Young, but they were out on Donovan Mitchell, and many more guards that drop their percentages at the end of their seasons in college.

Does he fit in the Western Conference?

In today’s NBA he can fit in either conference, because defense is constantly getting switched, so Young would just switch off of screens. His defense according to most people is horrible, but I don’t see that. I see a guy that played on a bad team focusing on scoring the ball to stay with the opponent. Young will never be a “three and D” guy, but will develop well defensively in the NBA.

Is he getting treated differently then most?

I think so, because every college athlete has a few bad games in their collegiate careers. Young is just more flashy and came on at the beginning of the season, and seemed to mellow out throughout the end of the season. Does that mean he is bad? No, even when he mellowed out he was still a top five player in this draft. His court vision is unbelievable for a 19 year old and the Grizzlies get several years of him in his prime. How is this such a tough pick?

Do not listen to the noise

Well, I am apart of the noise, but I hope that this brings some light to a situation that could get thought about too much. Too many guys in that top five are bust material unless they land in the right system, and with Young, he can play in any system. He is the safe pick, no matter where the Grizzlies land. No over thinking needed, Young belongs in Memphis with Mike and Marc to develop to his full potential, and to put the Grizzlies over the top.

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