Full Scouting Report for the Memphis Grizzlies' 2015 Draft Targets
The Memphis Grizzlies can close the gap a bit between them and a title by making the right choice at No. 25 in the NBA draft.
Since that's the Grizzlies' only pick, they seem more apt to take the best player available than simply addressing a scoring need.
Head coach Dave Joerger made it clear that's his approach as he told The Commercial Appeal's Ronald Tillery, "We're just trying to get talent."
Addressing the highest need would demand that they pick a perimeter shooter after they placed 22nd in three-point field-goal percentage. But marksmen aren't plentiful in Memphis' range—between Nos. 20 and 30 in Draft Express' prospect rankings.
If a better big man is available when they're on the clock, that would be wise in case the Grizzlies have trouble convincing Kosta Koufos to re-sign with the team. As ESPN.com's Marc Stein noted, Koufos wants to be a starter, as he was for the Denver Nuggets in 2012-13.
Such a move would keep the Grizzlies from having to insert a substandard big man when Marc Gasol needs a rest, presuming Gasol re-signs.
Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace shrugged off the idea of drafting by need, telling Tillery, "You'd love to have need and talent coincide. What you're trying to do is get a player who's going to be with you for a while and helps the team or someone that gains some interest around the league, and helps you make a transaction."
The following four players address either area, and they allow Memphis to keep up its defense while digging into the bench.
Justin Anderson
Anderson is the best player in the Grizzlies' range who fits their need for three-point shooting. The 6'6", 231-pound small forward hit 45.2 percent from downtown last season for Virginia, 15.8 percent better than in 2013-14.
Draft Express' Derek Bodner noted Anderson's improved form, saying, "Everything from his footwork, to pre-shot preparation, shortening his motion, a tighter shooting pocket, and a more consistent release point has combined to form a much more consistent, accurate shooter from the perimeter."
Anderson's mechanics point to a promising NBA career, if only as an outside specialist. With 8.5 field-goal attempts during 27.8 minutes per game in 2014-15, he's generally a low-usage off-ball marksman. Bodner mentioned how Anderson relies on straight-line drives and has an unrefined off-hand.
The swing man boasts a fantastic frame, with a 6'11.25" wingspan and five percent body fat, as Draft Express recorded from his NBA Draft Combine measurements.
His combination of length, strength and explosiveness help him neutralize opposing ball-handlers.
In an interview with Draft Express' Joe Abunasser, the 21-year-old said he could defend multiple positions, saying he hopes to "be a tenacious defender on anyone that I have to from the point guard to the four man, just using my size, strength and length to my advantage."
Anderson's physical tools and quick shooting ability should make him an immediate rotation player. Adding a young sharpshooter to the Grizzlies' bench would ensure offensive balance when Mike Conley and Courtney Lee leave the floor.
Delon Wright
Wright can shoot threes, but his contribution for the Grizzlies would be more dynamic than that of Anderson.
The 6'6", 181-pound point guard is a big, sound facilitator. Scouting Wright, Draft Express' Jonathan Givony said, "He uses his height tremendously as a passer, where he surveys the floor over the top of the defenses, and can make pinpoint passes to cutters and spot-up shooters, primarily in pick and roll and drive and kick situations."
The Grizzlies could use another point guard with Nick Calathes becoming a free agent and Beno Udrih facing a non-guaranteed contract for next year.
Udrih should be locked in for 2015-16 after he helped keep the offense running as Conley battled injuries, but the Grizzlies can't count on him to be as explosive. The Slovenian had ankle surgery on Thursday, as he tweeted, and turns 33 in July.
Wright isn't as explosive as Udrih, but he's crafty enough to keep defenses on their toes.
As Udrih did sometimes, using Wright in lineups alongside Conley with the seven-year pro off the ball is a possibility. Wright's guile could help him sell opponents on an inside feed before creating a perimeter opportunity for Conley.
Such an arrangement interests Wright, as he told Comcast SportsNet Northwest during a workout with the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.
In 2014-15, Wright made 35.6 percent of his threes for Utah. However, his mechanics aren't on par with those of Anderson's, as Givony notes "a low and slow release point .. and little to no elevation."
If he becomes a care-taking point guard, Wright offsets his shooting issues with excellent defense. Wright grabbed 2.1 steals in 33.6 minutes per game.
While calling him an immediate contributor, SI.com's Luke Winn mentioned Wright earned the nickname "Sticky" in AAU for his knack of getting a hand on the ball.
Wright worked out for the Grizzlies on Tuesday, as Tillery reported.
If the Grizzlies were to sub in a theft machine like Wright for Tony Allen and put him next to Conley, they'd lose no ground defensively while gaining some on offense.
Christian Wood
Wood is a dynamic big man who can add a dimension to the Grizzlies' frontcourt with his explosive two-way skills.
The 6'11", 216-pound power forward will fill out his frame within a couple years, but that's the biggest concern for someone with tremendous tools. He blocked 2.6 shots in 32.9 minutes per game for UNLV last season, and with improved strength he'll have the leverage to match his threatening arms.
In scouting Wood, who has a 7'3" wingspan, Givony described him as having the size, length and speed to crash the boards and cover ground outside the post.
His agility would give the Grizzlies a defender who can get out and guard a three-point shooter. Also, it poses problems for opponents as he can run in transition.
Wood's perimeter shooting give him potential as a Stretch 4. He told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Charles F. Gardner he'll improve on his 27.9 percent from long range of last season, saying, "I think I'm a better shooter than I showed. I'm a very good pick-and-pop player also."
If Wood can make that leap, his floor spacing and range would expand the Grizzlies' offense in ways Jon Leuer did for only a time in 2013-14.
Jordan Mickey
Mickey would add athleticism to a frontcourt with two starters who are 30 or older and a reserve in Jarnell Stokes who relies on his strength.
The speed of the 6'8", 238-pound power forward jumped out at Grizzlies assistant coach Jason March during a workout with Memphis on Thursday. March told The Commercial Appeal's Michael Cohen, "It's a group where you're looking at athleticism, Jordan has that. We knew that coming in, and he showed it today. ... He runs the floor really well. That gets your attention."
Mickey's athletic ability, as well as his 7'3.25" wingspan, will help him compensate for his height on both ends. Defensively, it helped him contribute outside the post, guarding smaller players, as Draft Express' Josh Riddell said. Offensively, he could use it to establish position inside.
Having blocked 3.6 shots per game in his last year for LSU, Mickey will be a solid roving defender. His ability to hedge on pick-and-rolls would fit tremendously in Memphis' coverage.
While Mickey was only ranked No. 34 among prospects by Draft Express and 43rd on Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman's big board, B/R's Matt Fitzgerald tabbed him to land in Memphis' hands on Sunday.
That's more due to his defense, since he needs to expand his attacking skills beyond a dribble-drive and jump hook.
During a workout with the Blazers on Saturday, Mickey told Comcast SportsNet Northwest he felt his shot was better in workouts than at LSU.
Depending on the look of Memphis' reserve frontcourt, Joerger might be hesitant to use him in his rookie year as the soon-to-be 21-year-old develolps offensively.
Tom Firme is a Memphis Grizzlies featured columnist for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @TFirme.
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