3 major mistakes made by Grizzlies during 2024 NBA Draft

Grizzlies mistake No. 1) Failing to trade up for Donovan Clingan

Heading into NBA Draft night it was being hotly rumored that the Grizzlies were immensely interested in the idea of trading up on the board to secure a better pick to land coveted big man prospect, Donovan Clingan.

Oft tabbed as an ideal fit within the club's scheme and rotation, the 7-foot-2, 280-pound UConn product had found his name linked to Memphis for months leading into Wednesday's festivities, and, per Action Network's Matt Moore, the front office had been reported to have offered "as many as three picks (with protections) up to try and move into the top five" in an effort to try and nab him.

Even during the draft, the franchise had engaged in negotiations with the Charlotte Hornets to move up to sixth overall, as it was believed that the Portland Trail Blazers, who held the seventh pick on the night, had an interest in taking Clingan for themselves and, in turn, the Grizzlies felt the only way to get their man was to jump directly ahead of them.

Unfortunately, in the end, negotiations fell through which led to the Hornets selecting Tidjane Salaün, followed by the Blazers' decision to take Clingan right after.

Though not much has been revealed about why trade talks disintegrated, the fact that they did wound up causing Memphis to miss out on arguably the best big in the draft.