NBA teams are beginning to realize the tremendous potential of this Draft class. This will lead to trade discussions involving the Memphis Grizzlies.
With nine days remaining until the 2018 NBA Draft, things are really picking up the intensity. As soon as a certainty develops, such as a particular landing spot for a top prospect, another Draft hopeful impresses in a workout and changes that team’s mind.
This is the NBA Draft season going through its typical motions. It is why so many basketball fans enjoy this time of year, especially if your favorite franchise is placed within the NBA Draft Lottery (top-14 selections). However, this year is a little more special than normal due to the incredible depth of this Draft class.
Each year, news surrounding the NBA Draft increases intensity in the days leading up to Draft Night. Sometimes there are rumors of a club issuing a promise to a prospect following an impressive workout and/or interview. There are typically some guys that make a name for themselves during the Draft Combine and other workouts and swiftly jump in mock drafts across various media outlets. This list goes on.
This year, it seems to have all of the above plus more. According to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, many NBA teams are salavating at one particular top prospect from Michigan State University. This is none other than Jaren Jackson, Jr., a 6’11” frontcourt star.
Sources: Jaren Jackson Jr., had a monster workout for Suns on Sunday, and continues to be the long-term prospect those outside Top 4 are working to move up and select in draft. Offers to Sacramento, Atlanta and Memphis may become increasingly aggressive between now and June 21.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 12, 2018
For reference, the 2018 NBA Draft order features the Sacramento Kings at No. 2, Atlanta Hawks at No. 3, and Memphis Grizzlies at No. 4 overall. Though “Triple-J” is becoming a hot commodity, there are other similar cases drawing the interests of other teams. Other bigs, such as Texas’ Mohamed Bamba and Missouri’s Michael Porter, Jr., are generating lots of chatter after impressive workouts in recent days.
In owning a top-five pick, the Memphis Grizzlies have rightfully found themselves in a whirlwind of NBA rumors within the past several weeks. From the topic of trading back/down in the Draft to being linked to nearly every prospect labeled as a lottery talent, Grizz Nation has seen it all. The trade-back rumor has surfaced once again, though in different fashion.
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Keep an eye on the Los Angeles Clippers, the owners of back-to-back first-round selections at No. 12 and No. 13 overall. You can never discount the Chicago Bulls (No. 7) or New York Knicks (No. 9) from pulling the trigger on a Draft Night trade. Mohamed Bamba wowed the Bulls organization in his pre-Draft workout in Chicago last week. With other NBA clubs realizing he is not the next Hasheem Thabeet, many executives are hopping on board the Bamba train.
The craziness is just beginning. It has been a while since the Memphis Grizzlies have had a lottery pick. Thus, all of the rumors that are bound to arise between now and Thursday, June 21st will assuredly become mind-boggling. The next nine days look to be chock-full of rumors, and according to Woj, they will soon be trade-based. It could easily become a bidding war that plays out majorly in favor of the Grizzlies’ best interest.
Hang on tight, Grizz Nation! The rumor mill is only beginning to churn. Whether Memphis retains their first round pick or trades it for a sweet deal, the Grizzlies are looking as if they will walk away as winners on Draft Night.
Go Grizz!