Memphis Grizzlies: Grading every draft pick currently on the roster

The Memphis Grizzlies have drafted well from top to bottom

Xavier Tillman (2020 Draft, Round 2, Pick 35): The rookie big man out of Michigan State has exceeded expectations in his limited playing time so far this season. Because of injuries, he was thrust into a starting role very early in his career, where he would play pretty well.

It’s too early to definitively say how strong of a pick this was, but it looks like it’s shaping up to be a strong pickup for the Grizzlies. If Tillman can be half as good as his Michigan State predecessor in Draymond Green, Grizzlies fans will be thrilled.

Grade: B

Desmond Bane (2020 Draft, Round 1, Pick 30): What more could you ask of the last pick in the first round of the NBA Draft? Bane wasn’t a top prospect in 2020, but he has proven that he should have been. Despite falling to the 30th overall pick, he has been a consensus top ten rookie in this league.

His 3-point shooting has been vital for a Grizzlies team that has been pretty bad from long-range. We’ll watch him attempt to smooth out his game as his career progresses, but right now, we can be confident with his abilities moving forward.

Grade: A-