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NBA Draft: Memphis Grizzlies’ Pick Relies Upon Phoenix Suns’ Move

By Christian Dudley

WIZINK CENTER, MADRID, SPAIN - 2018/05/27: Luka Doncic during Real Madrid victory over Iberostar Tenerife (83 - 73) in Liga Endesa playoff 1st round (game 1) celebrated in Madrid at Wizink Center. May 27th 2018. (Photo by Juan Carlos García Mate/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
WIZINK CENTER, MADRID, SPAIN - 2018/05/27: Luka Doncic during Real Madrid victory over Iberostar Tenerife (83 - 73) in Liga Endesa playoff 1st round (game 1) celebrated in Madrid at Wizink Center. May 27th 2018. (Photo by Juan Carlos García Mate/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 17: Best 5 of the tournament Pau Gasol, Luka Doncic, Goran Dragic, Aleksei Shved and Bogdan Bogdanovic pose for a photo during the cup ceremony after the FIBA Eurobasket 2017 final basketball match between Slovenia and Serbia at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on September 17, 2017. (Photo by Salih Zeki Fazlioglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
ISTANBUL, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 17: Best 5 of the tournament Pau Gasol, Luka Doncic, Goran Dragic, Aleksei Shved and Bogdan Bogdanovic pose for a photo during the cup ceremony after the FIBA Eurobasket 2017 final basketball match between Slovenia and Serbia at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey on September 17, 2017. (Photo by Salih Zeki Fazlioglu/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

The Verdict

Based on the expert views of Lucas Johnson and Gerald Bourguet, it definitely seems as if Deandre Ayton will have a slight foot ahead in the minds of the Phoenix Suns’ Front Office. Perhaps Ayton will be Phoenix’s 2018 version of a young Amar’e Stoudemire?

The battle between Ayton and Doncic for the No. 1 spot is currently neck-and-neck. What makes it even closer is that the two guys play entirely different positions, so the Suns must determine which need they need to fill most.

Next: Trae Young to Memphis is Realistic

As for the Memphis Grizzlies, they do not have a realistic shot at selecting Deandre Ayton (unless they would do the unthinkable — and almost impossible — and trade upward). Luka Doncic, especially with GM Chris Wallace salavating at his international excellence, truly seems like the pick for the Grizzlies if he is available. This information about the Phoenix Suns further points to Doncic being available when the Grizzlies receive their turn on the evening of June 21st.

If Luka Doncic is the Memphis Grizzlies’ go-to guy on Draft Night, it is refreshing to hear that the guard wants to be in Memphis and would look forward to playing alongside Mike Conley in addition to Marc Gasol.

On the other hand, there are still two weeks and change away from Draft Night and anything could happen. There is still a chance Memphis trades down slightly lower. If they do, there is plenty of talent in this class to ensure they come away as winners. All in all, that is ultimately what Grizz Nation wants — to make good on a first round Draft selection.

Go Grizz! 

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