Re-grading the Grizzlies draft picks in the Zach Kleiman era
By Tyler Watts
Grizzlies make another deal to get David Roddy in 2022
Kleiman traded De’Anthony Melton for the 23rd overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft to give Memphis a second selection. They took Roddy as an undersized power forward. Memphis believed he was undervalued because he was 6’4, and they got an immediate rotation option.
There are plenty of questions, including how Roddy fits long-term. After 87 career games, he averages 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 19.0 minutes per game, but has a negative VORP. Is Roddy a rotation option moving forward or someone the Grizzlies should give up on?
Grade: C
There is plenty to be desired here, but David Roddy has stuck in their rotation. Memphis did not have to trade De’Anthony Melton, and doing so was their biggest mistake. Still, who would fans rather have over Roddy at this stage? Jaylin Williams has shown some flashes. Others have more upside, but there is no standout name.
Zach Kleiman has never been afraid to make an aggressive move and has built the Memphis Grizzlies through the draft. They made trades and key selections in each of his first four years as the team’s lead decision-maker, so how should fans view his overall record so far?