Re-grading the Grizzlies draft picks in the Zach Kleiman era
By Tyler Watts
Grizzlies acquire Desmond Bane with the 30th overall pick in 2020
Memphis traded their 2020 first-round pick to Boston back in 2015, so Kleiman had just the 40th overall selection to work with heading into the draft. He found a way to trade two second-round picks to Boston for the 30th overall selection where one of the best players in this class was waiting.
This was a strong draft headlined by Anthony Edwards. The Ant-Man looks like a superstar and could be a ten-time All-Star. Tyrese Haliburton and LaMelo Ball are stars. Beyond that, Bane might be the best player in this class. Tyrese Maxey is pushing his way into star status, but getting a top-five option at 30th overall is another fantastic bit of work by Kleiman.
Grade: A+
This is arguably his best selection. Yes, Ja Morant is the team’s superstar, but he went second overall. Bane would have slipped into the second round if Kleiman did not swing this trade. Credit to him for finding a 20-point-per-game scorer and elite shooter this late in the draft.
Tyrese Haliburton or Anthony Edwards like goes down as this year's best pick, but taking Desmond Bane at 30 overall is right up there. Give Zach Kleiman and his front office another A-plus, and they were not done in this class.