Grading the Memphis Grizzlies’ 2020 NBA Draft
The Memphis Grizzlies went into the 2020 NBA Draft with one pick and walked away with two. How did the Grizzlies fare on Draft Night?
Going into the 2020 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies were in search of perimeter defenders and shooters. By the results of the players they picked — barring any trades between the time this is being written and the time you read this — it’s safe to say that the mission was accomplished.
The Grizzlies added a solid couple of guys to their roster: TCU shooting guard Desmond Bane with the No. 30 pick, and Michigan State big man Xavier Tillman with the No. 35 pick.
The Grizzlies went into the draft with just the No. 40 pick, but traded that pick to Sacramento along with a future pick to move up to No. 35 for Tillman, and traded future picks to Boston to move up to No. 30 and get Bane.
Desmond Bane, a senior out of TCU, is a solid defender at multiple positions. Bane is not the fastest guy or even very shifty, but has a very strong frame standing at 6’6″ and weighing 215 pounds.
Throughout his senior campaign for the Horned Frogs, Bane averaged 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game. It is easy to see that he can score, make plays, and hit the boards when they go his way. Bane’s strengths are that he has a good feel for the game and has evolved into a decent ball handler and passer as well as being able to shoot at a high level.
Bane is a very solid choice for the Grizzlies. He adds size and strength to the struggling Grizzlies’ perimeter defense and can be a good volume shooter off the bench if he maintains consistent shooting percentages. With Bane’s physicality, maturity, and knowledge of the game I feel this was the perfect pick for the Grizzlies considering who was available.
Grade for Desmond Bane: A
Xavier Tillman, the junior forward out of Michigan State, stands at 6’8″ and weighs 245 pounds. He adds more size in the paint for the Grizzles. Tillman averaged 13.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 3 assists per game his junior year with the Spartans.
Tillman is reuniting with his old college teammate Jaren Jackson Jr. on the Grizzlies, so there is already some chemistry between the two down in the paint.
Tillman brings a big defensive presence and even adds some additional much needed size for Memphis. Tillman not only shows that he is a good defender on the stat sheet, but also shows that he can bang with the best of them on the offensive side as well. Look for Tillman to help the secondary lineup big time in the rebounding category. Overall, the addition of Xaiver Tillman is another steal for the Memphis Grizzlies in this year’s draft.