2010 NBA Draft: Five Predictions About Memphis Grizzlies Draft

With three first-round draft picks in Thursday's 2010 NBA Draft, NBA experts will be watching the Memphis Grizzlies.

Some reports say that they could trade for New Orleans point guard Chris Paul. Others say they are looking for a higher draft pick.

We do not know which are true or not. But I do have some predictions about the 2010 Grizzlies draft.

1. Memphis Will Trade At Least One First-Round Draft Pick

Easiest prediction of the night. They will not draft three players.

One of the youngest teams in the NBA does not need to get younger. They will, at most, take two players in the first round.

It would not shock me if they take the 28th pick and trade it for a second round pick this year and a future second round pick.

On cue, ESPN is reporting Tuesday afternoon that Memphis could trade the 25th and 28th pick to Minnesota for the 16th pick.

Ideally, they will use a late first-round pick and take a small risk on a player like Kentucky's Eric Bledsoe.

2. It's 50-50 That the 25th Pick Gets Traded for a Veteran Player

The Commercial Appeal reports that Memphis could be in the trade market using the 25th pick as bait.

C-A said that the Grizzlies are looking at one of the players from the Chris Bosh-less Toronto Raptors.

Translation: They want a first round for one of their overpriced, over-hyped players. One of those players, Hedo Turkoglu, wants out of Toronto.

Really, really bad idea. Therefore, Memphis is thinking about it.

3. Fans Can Forget About

I read this story in the C-A and laughed.

I did not laugh at the thought of Chris Paul coming to Memphis. I love that idea.

But it will never happen.

The downside: New Orleans will want Memphis to take one of the Hornets' bad contracts.

So which player would you like to see in a Memphis uniform: Peja Stojakovic, Emeka Okafor or James Posey?

I vote for "None of the Above."

4. Expect Memphis To Have Rudy Gay's Replacement By the End of the Draft

They need a Plan B in case Memphis does not sign Rudy Gay.

So they can use the No.12 pick on a small forward. Or, they can use a pick to trade for a veteran forward.

I think it is likely that they will draft a small forward and use trades to increase their depth.

5. If Memphis Trades Back Into the Lottery, They Will Draft Paul George

The Memphis Commercial-Appeal says that Paul George made a huge impression.

George is a 6'9" swing player from Fresno State. Teams love his "potential." Memphis does draft people based on "upside" (example: Hasheem Thabeet).

Memphis has the 12th overall pick. They could use their two late first-round picks to get a second lottery pick. The Grizzlies could easily get George with either pick.