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Four Reasons Why Luka Doncic Is Meant for Memphis

By Brendan Smart

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 03: Victor Oladipo (L) of the Oklahoma City Thunder is in action against Luka Doncic (R) of Real Madrid during the basketball match between Oklahoma City Thunder and Real Madrid as part of the 2016 Global Games at the Barclaycard Center in Madrid, Spain on October 03, 2016. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 03: Victor Oladipo (L) of the Oklahoma City Thunder is in action against Luka Doncic (R) of Real Madrid during the basketball match between Oklahoma City Thunder and Real Madrid as part of the 2016 Global Games at the Barclaycard Center in Madrid, Spain on October 03, 2016. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /
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It is the evening of June 21st, the Memphis Grizzlies are on the clock, and Real Madrid star Luka Doncic is still on the board. Why is he meant to be a Memphis Grizzly?

Real Madrid champion guard Luka Doncic is set to still be on the board by several mock drafts at number four on June 21st. Commissioner Adam Silver approaches the podium and announces, “With the fourth pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select, Luka Doncic, Slovenia.” The FedEx Forum erupts, and the future is here, and the question still gets raised, “Why is Doncic and Memphis a match?”

I.Q. for the game:

Plain and simple, the kid makes plays. He knows that he is not the quickest, but makes up for it by knowing the game better then his opponents.

(Luka against Oklahoma City in Europe a year ago against Russell Westbrook and Victor Oladipo… 2:30 mark)

Wanting to be in Memphis:

In Doncic’s situation overseas, he has the option of staying over in Europe for another year, or coming over immediately. While Doncic has that option, he has been open about wanting to come play with his Spanish teammate Marc Gasol and Mike Conley. He wants to be in Memphis, and you avoid waiting that year because Doncic wants to be in the 901.

Versatility:

A ball handler that is 6’8” is something the Memphis Grizzlies were looking to get out of Chandler Parsons. Due to injuries, Parsons has not filled that role that we, along with the organization, pictured when he signed in free-agency two years ago. Doncic gives you that aspect of the game. Giving Conley time to move without the ball, and giving Doncic a piece of the offense in his first season. His IQ at the age of 19 has him ready to run an NBA offense here and there. However, defensive stability may be brought to our attention, but that will not be until the preseason, and even in training camp.

Youth and Progression:

Like I mentioned before, he is 19. Youth is big in the NBA, and with a young star like Doncic, you can put him anywhere (within reason) and watch him succeed. I expect him to start in his first season, but if he is the first substitution of the game, he can easily be rolled back in with the bench unit. Then he can roll between the two and three positions. While doing this, the Grizzlies can set a goal for Doncic during the season. “Get this many assists-to-turnovers,” or “shoot this percentage from the field,” and watch the youth progress. Unlike the past, I have faith in the Memphis Grizzlies’ coaching staff and their youth development.

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