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Memphis Grizzlies: 5 shooting guards to target in the 2020 NBA Draft

By Josh Mullenix

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 29: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Rupp Arena on February 29, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 29: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats dribbles the ball during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Rupp Arena on February 29, 2020 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – NOVEMBER 24: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots over Avery Sullivan #5 of the Lamar Cardinals during the first half of the NCAA basketball game at Rupp Arena on November 24, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Bryan Woolston/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY – NOVEMBER 24: Immanuel Quickley #5 of the Kentucky Wildcats shoots over Avery Sullivan #5 of the Lamar Cardinals during the first half of the NCAA basketball game at Rupp Arena on November 24, 2019 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Bryan Woolston/Getty Images) /

The Memphis Grizzlies have the 40th overall selection in the 2020 NBA Draft, and could go in a number of directions.

For the Memphis Grizzlies, the 2020 NBA Draft won’t be nearly as exciting and promising as the 2019 version.

There is no top-two pick or a Ja Morant-type prospect available for the Grizzlies. The team doesn’t even have a first-round selection, as that pick went to the Boston Celtics in a trade.

However, the Grizzlies do hold a lone pick in the middle of the second round. Memphis acquired the Phoenix Suns’ 2020 second round pick (No. 40 overall) in the trade that sent Jevon Carter and Kyle Korver to Phoenix for Josh Jackson and De’Anthony Melton in July of 2019.

At the moment, Memphis’ roster clearly has two strong points: the backcourt — mainly point guard — and the interior.

Morant, last season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, and Tyus Jones have solidified themselves as PG1 and PG2 and neither will need new contracts anytime soon. Apart from the contract discussion surrounding Jaren Jackson Jr. after next season, Jonas Valanciunas and Brandon Clarke have contracts that in some way, shape, or form extend through at least 2022.

And then there are the wings.

Off-ball perimeter play has been a weak area for the Grizzlies for basically the last decade, but there are reasons to be optimistic about that position group right now.

Dillon Brooks was the team’s third-leading scorer last season, Justise Winslow has arrived (if he’ll actually be healthy enough to play is a different story), and Grayson Allen and De’Anthony Melton have shown promising signs at one point or another.

With that being said, it’s clearly the most inconsistent component of the roster. While the Grizzlies might have a relatively unexciting pick in the upcoming draft, there are second-round prospects that could help solidify that position group, specifically at shooting guard. Memphis shot 34.7 percent from beyond the arc last season, good enough for 23rd in the NBA, on 31.5 attempts per game as a team.

Allen was the only shooting guard to shoot better than 35.8 percent from beyond the arc last season and Melton shot just 28.6 percent. As Morant continues to get even more dangerous, consistent off-ball 3-point shooters are going to become more and more important for the Grizzlies and this draft has a collection of guys who could help with that.

Let’s take a look at a group of shooting guards, in no particular order, the Grizzlies should consider targeting with their mid-second round pick.

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