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Four Reasons Why the Memphis Grizzlies Need Trae Young

By Brendan Smart

OAKLAND, CA - MAY 8: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Trae Young before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2018 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - MAY 8: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors and Trae Young before the game against the New Orleans Pelicans in Game Five of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 8, 2018 at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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A dream that seemed far fetched when the off season began, has become a reality. Former Oklahoma Sooner Guard Trae Young could be in Beale Street Blue on June 21st, and here are four reasons why it needs to happen.

Growth:

With every young player coming into the draft, there is the added pressure of performing immediately in the NBA. For guys like Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, and Marvin Bagley III, the pressure will be high and so will expectation night in and out. We always talk about a players ceiling and a players floor, and Young’s ceiling is Golden State Warriors guard Steph Curry, and his floor would be a good play making guard in the NBA. Not bad right?

It isn’t. Unfortunately for guys like Doncic, Ayton, and Bagley, there is more of a chance you see there floor then there ceiling. 82 games, constantly being monitored, and expected to score 20 plus points a night. Pressure has killed draft picks in the NBA, and the NBA rarely sees a contending team like Memphis in their top five of the lottery. Young, of course would have pressure, but not the same amount of pressure guys like Doncic, Ayton, and Bagley would on their respected teams, because he isn’t the teams best player yet.

Young has the highest ceiling in this years draft, and the fact that he is projected to get drafted in the middle of the top ten is a flat out steal. Memphis should take young at number four for his growth, and developmental upside.

Situation:

Memphis has been in the bottom part of the NBA in terms of pace for nearly a decade. Seven of which the team went deep into the playoffs thanks to their hard nosed style of play. Now, with teams like Golden State, and the Houston Rockets in the west, why not show that you can do both?

Look at Young’s offense last season, he can do both. Trae pushes pace when needed, and then runs a very smart half court offense. With Memphis trying to transition under a new Head Coach in J.B. Bickerstaff, why not take a guy that is already at the level needed, and can go in any direction?

Quality:

If I’m not mistaken, Memphis tanked for a ‘quality’ pick, right? The team wants to continue putting fans in the seats and start another playoff run? With one pick that can happen. The team does not know what is happening with Tyreke Evans, and is wanting to show some sort of stability in their front office, take the quality pick.

Young is a quality player for several reasons. They way he handles the media off the court sometimes gets over shadowed by his on court talents. A lot of kids that come out of the draft bring baggage, and by baggage I mean a record of some sort. Whether it is a leaked video, or getting away with something on a Friday night. With Young there is no baggage, just a talented athlete. This season, Young ran out of gas, and for good reason, but never once, through all of the questions threw his teammates under the bus. With Young, you get great overall quality from a 19 year old.

Future:

Take it how you want it, but the door is closing very rapidly on Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. Age hits, injuries happen, and Memphis needs to start considering building while winning now. Build beginning at the top of the starting five with Young. Have a new conductor ready when Conley’s contract is up in two years. That gives Young time to see what his potential is in this league, and work with two of the best Grizzlies ever to put the uniform on. Critics criticize Young for his defense, but having two of the best defensive players in the Western Conference to learn from, isn’t all that bad.

Give him the reins in moments throughout a season when the tires need a rest on a guy like Conley, and let Young grow, because how ever far Young goes, the franchise, and the fan base goes in the future.

If the Grizzlies take “Trigger Trae” at number four, that’ll be a building block towards the future, and a new look towards teams. Young stretches the floor, and has a great knowledge for the game of basketball at a very young age. His finishing abilities, and burst off the dribble are just a bonus. I’m glad that Young’s draft stock fell, because now Memphis has a chance to save their franchise from completely tanking in the future.

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