Memphis Grizzlies: Would drafting Joshua Christopher make any sense?
As the offseason continues, the Memphis Grizzlies continue to sweep the country for a potential prospect to pick up with the No. 17 pick, they land on a player named Joshua Christopher from Arizona State.
On paper, Christopher makes close to no sense for this Grizzlies team. The 6-4 guard’s primary weak spot is his shooting, which is the primary area where Memphis will be seeking improvement. We recently released an article detailing how much of an impact Corey Kispert, the draft’s best shooter, could have on this team in the immediate future.
That said, Christopher is one of the best athletes in this draft, with elite playmaking capabilities and enough athleticism to keep his 6-4 frame in the game.
The Memphis Grizzlies recently worked out Josh Christopher to see if he is a good fit
As of the day of this post, Josh Christopher is working out with the Memphis Grizzlies, according to Grizzly Bear Blues. The Grizzlies front office is likely of the mindset that they should leave no stone unturned.
Josh Christopher (@Jaygup23) will be working out for the Memphis Grizzlies today, sources tell GBB. Christopher averaged 14.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.4 assists in 15 games with Arizona State. 19 year-old combo guard with intriguing upside.
— Grizzly Bear Blues (@bcmGrizzlies) July 7, 2021
Even though Josh Christopher is one of the least consistent shooters in this draft, he would provide the Grizzlies with scoring. The California native is a strong all-around playmaker, with good ball-handling abilities and great inside scoring capabilities.
The upside to Christopher is that he can do a lot of things that current Memphis Grizzlies shooting guards can’t do. He’s a strong defender with a knack for stealing the ball, averaging 1.4 steals per contest. Pair that with his ability to drive the ball to the paint and the Grizz would have a player who could come in and keep opposing teams on their heels.
Unfortunately, he’d be extremely far down the line of Memphis shooting guards who will see the court. After a breakout year from Desmond Bane and a strong showing for De’Anthony Melton, Christopher might not be able to find space on a team with Grayson Allen or Dillon Brooks in the starting lineup.
The bottom line is that Christopher, at least right now, is a one-dimensional three-level scorer. He can be a great long-term prospect for an NBA team but I don’t believe that the Grizzlies are that team.
Corey Kispert would fit in Memphis like a glove. dark. Next
Christopher’s defense would take some time and his offense needs some work. This wouldn’t be the worst pick in the world though, as Memphis still has time to develop young players.