The 2018 NBA Draft has come and gone for the Memphis Grizzlies. What will the impact be on their roster heading into free agency?
The Memphis Grizzlies were at the center of league-wide uncertainty heading into Thursday night’s NBA Draft. While rumors of pick swaps and superstar trades clouded the air, the most prevalent were Memphis’ attempts to dump their No. 4 pick with Chandler Parsons’ contract.
Ultimately a deal did not get done, leaving Memphis to select three-and-D frontcourt prospect Jaren Jackson Jr. with the fourth overall pick, while snaring point guard Jevon Carter 32nd overall. The reaction has been generally positive; Bleacher Report gave Memphis a B+ grade on the draft, CBSSports marked a B- and B+ for Jackson and Carter, respectively. After sliding on lottery night, the result could have been far worse in a shallower draft.
While Memphis could still execute a deal, their chances are far less likely with the Draft completed. The focus thus turns to Free Agency, and where the team can look to bulk up with their Mid-Level Exception. The roster has not shaken up as much as it could have, but let us check out how its depth chart (per ESPN) has been altered:
(note: only players currently under contract for the 2018-19 season have been included from last season’s roster)
Point Guard
- Mike Conley
- Andrew Harrison
- Jevon Carter
- Kobi Simmons
Conley’s return will obviously have the biggest impact on the roster, in terms of both depth charts and team performance. Memphis’ 2017-18 backcourt regulars will now be relegated, even with Mario Chalmers likely gone and Tyreke Evans probably following.
Harrison should continue to see the bulk of backup minutes. Carter will not eat into his role immediately without serious strides. The drafting of a point guard leads one to think Simmons could be spending more time in the G-League this season.
Next: Analysis of What Jevon Carter Brings to the Grizzlies
Shooting Guard
- Wayne Selden
- Ben McLemore
- MarShon Brooks
The two-to-three spots become Memphis’ weakest positions if Tyreke leaves (which seems likely). A healthy Selden can hopefully begin to grow into a backup scorer’s role, but nothing is certain and depth is minimal.
Selden’s an unproven swing scorer with an 8.1ppg career average. McLemore has failed to do anything consistently impressive in five seasons. Brooks – while potent in small samples last year – has played seven NBA games since 2014.
The Grizzlies’ offense was abysmal last year and the lack of supplementary wing scoring was the chief culprit. With a market correction about to hit this year’s free-agent class, hopefully Memphis can snag some shooting on the cheap. Currently capped-out, the Mid-Level Exception is all they will have to deploy.
Small Forward
- Dillon Brooks
- Chandler Parsons
Memphis is not doing much better at the other wing position. Brooks’ presence bolsters the three-spot as their best two-way wing player. He will look to capitalize on a strong debut, following his All-Rookie snub.
Behind him, things are pretty dismal. Parsons remains a shell of his former self, and a constant cautionary tale of financial prudence. His 42% from three last year was about his only positive contribution (other than a reduction in ‘Chancun’ references); appearing in just 36 games.
Power Forward
- Jaren Jackson Jr
- JaMychal Green
- Jarell Martin
- Ivan Rabb
The safe assumption is that the Grizzlies did not draft Jackson Jr. fourth overall to have him ride the pine. Especially after JaMychal Green failed to make much of a leap in a potential breakout year, the starting spot at the four should be Jackson’s to lose.
Memphis is left with some swing options at the four, though. Green could conceivably slide to three is necessary and guard larger opposing wings, while JJJ could develop into a small-ball center if his interior defesne is as good as advertised.
Martin and Rabb were serviceable if unspectacular last year, and both could be G-League candidates with Jackson’s arrival. Martin, in particular, showed oscillating flashes of solid scoring and horrendous shot selection; he could benefit from some low-pressure repititions.
Center
- Marc Gasol
- Deyonta Davis
Last and least-crucial, we have the Memphis Grizzlies’ center position on the depth chart. Not only is center becoming an increasingly obsolete and interchangeable position, but Gasol is as consistent a weapon as you will find in the pivot.
With Conley back in tow, Marc Gasol should be far more engaged than last year’s sleepwalk. Behind him, Davis quietly put up 13.7/9.5 per 36 on .608 from the field. He could be ready for a bigger role with a stronger cast around him.
As previoulsy mentioned, Jaren Jackson Jr. is also the type of player that — in theory — could easily slide into the center role, given his frame and impressive wingspan. Should Gasol need rest, look for Memphis to integrate a small-ball identity for the first time in recent memory.