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Memphis Grizzlies: Memphis can watch another star walk

By Brendan Smart

NORMAN, OK - FEBRUARY 17: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Lloyd Noble Center on February 24, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Longhorns defeated the Sooners 77-66. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK - FEBRUARY 17: Trae Young #11 of the Oklahoma Sooners looks on during the game against the Texas Longhorns at Lloyd Noble Center on February 24, 2018 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Longhorns defeated the Sooners 77-66. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) /
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The Memphis Grizzlies are on the brink of one of the biggest draft picks in franchise history. Also, they’re projected to take one of the biggest busts in franchise history.

The Memphis Grizzlies and drafting do not really go together really well, but they have to this season. Projected top five pick and the Grizzlies get almost the worst spot at number four. Memphis has to get this right. The Grizzlies have to get this pick out of General Manager Chris Wallace’s hands immediately.

While Wallace is dreaming of Real Madrid star Luka Doncic in a Grizzlies uniform, the other six picks behind Memphis have their eyes on a star. Not Micheal Porter Jr., and not trading back to take forward Wendell Carter, the Grizzlies have to take Oklahoma point guard Trae Young.

NORMAN, OK – FEBRUARY 17: Oklahoma Sooners Guard Trae Young (11) during a college basketball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns on February 17, 2018, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, OK. (Photo by David Stacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NORMAN, OK – FEBRUARY 17: Oklahoma Sooners Guard Trae Young (11) during a college basketball game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Longhorns on February 17, 2018, at the Lloyd Noble Center in Norman, OK. (Photo by David Stacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Think about it. How many guys available at number four still have the big red flags? Lack of IQ, questionable growth, questioning potential, and just analysis just lying about a players floor to build them up. Young is non of these. Just like Doncic, he is 19 years old, but unlike Luka, he is ready for the NBA. He is not slow, he is not sketchy, and he isn’t done progressing, but Doncic is.

You can see it in the film. From age 18 to age 19, what has Doncic done differently? Then compare Young from high school to his freshmen year at Oklahoma. Talk about it, we have to, and we have to quit putting labels on guys that will never reach that potential.

Just imagine a Mike Conley and Trae Young back court. I wrote about this several weeks ago, and it is still relevant today.

Now that Doncic, once projected number one overall, could possibly fall into the seven to ten range if the Grizzlies do not take him at four. Young, however, will be an Orlando Magic at number five, because there are no real red flags.

The irony in all of this is that with 60 percent of NBA front offices, this is a no brainer, but with the Grizzlies, and so much noise in one room, it will get messed up. For the fans’ sake, and the organization’ sake, I hope that it does not get botched.

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