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Memphis Grizzlies: Repicking recent first round picks

By Ethan Becker

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Jordan Adams #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies wipes his face after being attended to following being fouled against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Verizon Center on March 12, 2015 in Washington, DC. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 12: Jordan Adams #3 of the Memphis Grizzlies wipes his face after being attended to following being fouled against the Washington Wizards in the first half at Verizon Center on March 12, 2015 in Washington, DC. 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 the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies
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2016 Draft: Wade Baldwin

In the 2016 Draft, with the 17th overall pick, Memphis chose Wade Baldwin. The Grizzlies signed him to a multi-year contract soon after, and things were looking up for the almost lottery pick.

However, after just 33 games played, an average of 3.2 points, 1.8 assists, and 1.4 rebounds per game, the Grizzlies waived him after the first season, and he ended up on the Portland Trail Blazer.

With Baldwin not only no longer with the Grizzlies, but also not even in the league any more, it makes the pain just a little bit stronger when you look at some of the options that Memphis could’ve taken.

Malik Beasley was taken at 19 in this draft, and he spent the latter part of this year showing himself to be a valuable piece when put in the right system, like he is in Minnesota. Caris LeVert was taken at 20, and has spent the last four seasons building himself into a bigger and bigger part of a winning team’s rotation.

Possibly the biggest miss though is Pascal Siakam, who went at 27. Now, it’s understandable why the Grizzlies passed on Siakam–he was an unproven guy with a lot of questions–but after making himself into one of the most important parts of a newly turned over Raptors team, Memphis has gotta be kicking themselves over what they could have had.

At the end of the day, I think I’d have to say the Grizzlies should’ve made a go at Siakam. Even though he had a lot of questions, he also had a lot of potential, and Memphis had the system in place where he could have spent the first few years growing before being put in the spotlight.

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