Even when at full strength, this Memphis Grizzlies team seems to have numerous weaknesses within their rotation. From shot creators and playmakers off the pine to adequate backup bigs just in case of an emergency (as seen this season with the unfortunate Steven Adams injury), there are plenty of areas the team should be interested in bolstering come the start of next season.
However, easily their most glaring sore spot is the wing position, as they have yet to find an adequate replacement at the three since the departure of long-tenured starter Dillon Brooks this past summer.
Through trial and error during the season, the Grizzlies have discovered that none of their current crop of ballers are suited to take on the mantle of top dog in this particular position's pecking order. Because of this, many are left wondering what Zach Kleiman and company will look to do to address this rotational vacancy.
Though many hypothetical scenarios have been discussed, recently, Jonathan Wasserman of Bleacher Report proposed the idea of pursuing a possible talent upgrade in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft, where he believes taking Colorado prospect Cody Williams with their projected seventh overall pick could be the ideal move to make.
Grizzlies snag Cody Williams in latest 2024 NBA Mock Draft
"Hit hard by injuries, the Memphis Grizzlies will have a chance to add a lottery pick to an obvious playoff roster when it's at full strength. This roster also would be an ideal one for Cody Williams, who could play to his strengths and add value with them by giving a Ja Morant-Desmond Bane-Jaren Jackson Jr. core some complementary slashing/finishing, ball-moving and defense."Jonathan Wasserman
Cody Williams with the steal & slam! 💪 pic.twitter.com/LXNGPr3bIz
— Pac-12 Conference (@pac12) January 14, 2024
A five-star recruit coming out of high school, Williams has quickly become one of the Buffaloes' clear leaders on the hardwood, boasting strong averages of 14.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and just shy of a block per game while shooting 56.0 percent from the floor and 40.0 percent from distance (albeit on just 1.7 attempts).
An incredibly athletic slasher and rim-runner, with his 6-foot-8 frame the 19-year-old freshman has the innate make of an ideal, modern-day wing at the NBA-level, drawing comparisons to Minnesota Timberwolves stud Jaden McDaniels and even Portland Trail Blazers star Jerami Grant.
Though Wasserman did note in his assessment that Williams could use for an improvement in the shooting department, particularly when it comes to his willingness to hoist it from beyond mid-range, adding his defensive intangibles, two-way upside, and overall potential with their projected lottery pick in the upcoming draft could wind up doing wonders for the franchise once they get back to full strength.