Memphis Grizzlies: 5 Reasons Why Tanking is Worth Shot at Romeo Langford in 2019 NBA Draft

Familiarity with the Franchise’s Future Face

As previously mentioned, Jaren Jackson Jr. is the focal point of the Memphis Grizzlies’ future. The transition is happening right now in making him the franchise’s new face. When considering the Grizzlies’ impending rebuild, they will absolutely go about their offseason in ways to place compatible pieces alongside “Triple-J.”

By taking Romeo Langford in the NBA Draft, Memphis would accomplish this goal. Langford is a two-way player that is similar to Mike Conley in that he excels with and without the ball in his hands.

Langford’s New Albany and Indiana University days have presented two entirely different game plans. This has enabled him to showcase his ability to play off-ball more often at IU, but it has also allowed Romeo to demonstrate how lethal he can be when he is commanding the basketball.

In picturing Romeo Langford in a Memphis Grizzlies’ uniform, this is an option that fits exceptionally well with Jaren Jackson Jr. Langford is a major scoring option that could take pressure off of Jaren. The floor would be spread more on offense. Plus, when Romeo drives — which could be described as one of his top strengths even at 19 — it draws a double-team, which would allow for easy baskets in the paint for Jackson Jr.

With the ball out of Romeo’s hands, Jaren could go to work in the painted area. Once help defense moves toward Jackson Jr., Langford is a willing shooter from the outside. Though he will need to improve his outside shot — 27.5% this season — he is a thoroughbred scorer. He amassed a whopping 3,002 points through four years at New Albany. He knows how to get the rock in the hoop.

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At IU this season, the New Albany product has teamed up with a force in the paint by the name of Juwan Morgan. Morgan pulled his name out of the 2018 NBA Draft and has strengthened his all-around game as a senior at Indiana. This has been helpful to Romeo as it has taken a large portion of the offensive load off Langford’s shoulders and it has given ample opportunity for the freshman to learn how to play alongside a skillful big man.

Both Langford and Jackson Jr. are from the state of Indiana and once played each other in a high school game featured on the ESPN network. Though Jaren’s La Lumiere won the battle, Romeo made a name for himself by cramming a poster dunk over Jackson Jr. Following that play, it is an understatement in saying these two guys are familiar with one another.