Grizzlies add Harrison Barnes-esque forward in recent mock draft

The departure of Dillon Brooks this past offseason has certainly created more of a rift within the Memphis Grizzlies lineup than perhaps many may have originally envisioned.

Though his antics and polarizing on-court personality may not necessarily be missed, the fact that he served as a locked-in starter at the wing position is a type of attribute that Taylor Jenkins currently lacks.

As a result, the coaching staff has gotten a bit experimental in an attempt to try and find a solution to their rotational predicament, and while they've seen some solid spurts of success with said efforts they still may want to have more of a forward-thinking approach to find a long-term answer at the three spot.

Planning ahead will be key to addressing this particular situation, and the folks at Bleacher Report believe the Grizzlies should already be looking to the 2024 NBA Draft to add another small forward option, with writer Jonathan Wasserman noting that the ball club could target JL Bourg stud Zaccharie Risacher should they wind up with a high-end lottery pick.

Grizzlies nab Zaccharie Risacher with fifth pick in 2024 NBA Mock Draft

"The 6'8" forward is making a combined 41.5 percent of his threes, demonstrating a quick, high and confident release. While scouts may be skeptical of his ability to initiate offense in the half court, his shotmaking and slashing tools create translatable complementary scoring similar to Harrison Barnes'.

However, Risacher is a more explosive athlete whose ball-handling, long strides and leaping are ideal for attacking and finishing in open-floor situations.

Passing and defensive flashes suggest there will be more to the 18-year-old's game as he continues to develop."

- Jonathan Wasserman on Zaccharie Risacher

With an impressive shooting stroke, sound ball handling skills, and highly underrated athleticism Risacher showcases a prototypical small forward's game style while boasting a typical build of a tweener-big what with his 6-foot-10 length.

At just 18 years old, the Spanish-born baller finds himself serving as a go-to option for the LNB Pro A club JL Bourg-en-Bresse, and, per realgm, is posting impressive averages of 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and just shy of a block per game while shooting 55.9 percent from the floor.

Still early on in the season, there's ample time for Risacher to display more growth in his game, specifically as an off-ball driver and post-player, but should the Grizzlies not find a long-term answer come year's end to their small forward position and nab a lottery selection in the upcoming draft, there's a strong argument to be made that the JL Bourg standout should be a serious target.