1 Dream, 1 reach, and 1 realistic player for Grizzlies to pursue in 2024 NBA Draft
By Mark Nilon
![Apr 6, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan (32) reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports Apr 6, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Connecticut Huskies center Donovan Clingan (32) reacts against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2024 NCAA Tournament at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3363,h_1891,x_0,y_141/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/227/01hz7wttyt6d60mxn3cq.jpg)
Realistic Grizzlies draft target: Ron Holland
Being this year's draft is considered by many one of the "weakest" in recent memory, perhaps one of the best approaches to selecting a prospect is by going after the best talent available.
Fortunately for the Grizzlies, embarking down this road could realistically lead them to a player some are tabbing as arguably the top prospect in this year's class, Ron Holland.
The former five-star recruit spent the 2023-24 campaign playing for the G League Ignite, where he flashed Jimmy Butler potential, according to teammate Norris Cole, and finished off with solid two-way averages of 18.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game on 47.4 percent shooting from the floor.
London Johnson ➡️ Ron Holland
— NBA G League (@nbagleague) January 25, 2024
The NBA Draft prospects are cookin’ 👨🍳 @gleagueignite pic.twitter.com/dLISyDGLAS
From his highly underrated ball-handling skills to his stupendous athleticism, a talent like Holland could be of great use running alongside Ja Morant in fast-break opportunities, while his defensive versatility could fit in quite nicely with the club's generally tenacious efforts on that side of the ball when fully healthy.
Of course, there are concerns regarding the 18-year-old's shooting stroke, as he converted on just 23.9 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc, but, in some ways, this could be viewed as a beneficial circumstance, for, without such a hiccup, he could very well be found selected within the top-five of the upcoming draft rather than being projected as a late-lottery pick.
Shooting mechanics can be worked on at the next level -- just ask Kawhi Leonard and Jaylen Brown, as both came into the association attached to similar critiques to their game.
With all this in mind, should Holland be available when the Grizzlies are on the clock at nine, he would be both a realistic and profound prospect to take a chance on.
manual