2019 NBA Draft Team Preview: Memphis Grizzlies - Picks and Odds

What: 2019 NBA Draft

Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY

When: Thursday, June 20th at 8:30 PM EST

How (TV): ESPN, Yahoo Sports

Overview

The 2019 NBA Draft will occur on Thursday, June 20th at 8:30 PM at the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn, NY. The broadcast will be available on ESPN and Yahoo Sports.

The 2019 NBA Draft was the first to introduce the new weighted lottery system – where the bottom three ranking teams in the league each had an equal 14% chance to win the number one overall pick.

The bottom three teams – the New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, and Cleveland Cavaliers finished within their projected range. But the overall winner of the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery was the New Orleans Pelicans.

For more on the NBA Draft, we’ve put together a short 2019 NBA Draft Odds. Check it out to understand how the draft works.

How Did the Memphis Grizzlies Fare This Season?

Head Coach: JB Bickerstaff {All-Time 85-131 | HOU, MEM}

Season Record: 33-49

Starting Five: (G) Mike Conley – (G) Delon Wright – (G) Justin Holiday – (F) Bruno Caboclo – (C) Jonas Valanciunas

Potential Losses: (G) Justin Holiday (Contract Expiry), (G) Delon Wright (Contract Expiry), (C) Joakim Noah (Contract Expiry), (C) Jonas Valanciunas (Player Option)

Double-double machine, Jonas Valanciunas got the @BassProShops #TrophyGame pic.twitter.com/kDUPCOrBDu

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) March 31, 2019

The Memphis Grizzlies began the season on a tear. Led by the veteran mentorship of Mike Conley and Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies outperformed early expectations despite having a young roster.

Upon the midway point of the season though, the Grizzlies were faced with a tough decision. With a glut of expensive contracts on the books, they chose the way of the future and unloaded their most talented and loyal player – Marc Gasol.

With an eye on the future, the Grizzlies loaded their roster with young talent from the current NBA Champion Toronto Raptors. Jonas Valanciunas, CJ Miles, Delon Wright, and Bruno Caboclo look to be key pieces for their future under new head coach Taylor Jenkins.

Where will the Memphis Grizzlies Be Picking?

The Memphis Grizzlies entered the NBA Draft Lottery with a single draft pick and they almost won the ultimate prize.

Despite finishing relatively high (33-49, 12th in the West), compared to the rest of the lottery bound teams, the new weighted odds system was incredibly beneficial for the Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies won the second overall pick in the NBA Draft and are set acquire a seemingly generational prospect in any of the top three projected players.

What Do the Memphis Grizzlies Need?

Bruno Caboclo had a career night as his 24 PTS & 11 REB helped Memphis to defeat the Thunder at home ?#ThunderUp – 103#GrindCity – 115 pic.twitter.com/uXhHTQV8Dq

— NBA UK (@NBAUK) March 26, 2019

Who the Memphis Grizzlies select will be wholly based on the style of play the organization wants to implement going forward. Will Grit-n-Grind stay for the forseeable future? Or will they select based on the pace-and-space style of most NBA teams?

In terms of their team depth, the Grizzlies could use some backcourt assistance. Mike Conley and Delon Wright are excellent veteran leaders, they would do well with a high-impact scoring wing-playmaker.

The Grizzlies also maintain an incredibly intriguing front court, led by Jonas Valanciunas and Jaren Jackson. Even Bruno Caboclo has come into his own with Memphis. Additional size is always welcome for a team famous for its interior play.

Who Have the Memphis Grizzlies Picked Recently?

2018: Jaren Jackson Jr. – USA – Michigan State

• All-Rookie First Team (2019)

“You’re at that level of NBA Finals ‘99 Spurs Jaren Jackson…”

Father-son duo @jarenjacksonjr & @JarenSrJackson! #HappyFathersDay pic.twitter.com/ygwguxplvY

— NBA (@NBA) June 17, 2019

Jaren Jackson entered the NBA as one the hottest prospects in 2018. He failed to disappoint, making the All-Rookie First Team and showing off his ability as a game-changing defensive player. Not since Anthony Davis has a big man looked like such a capable front-court defender.

2016: Wade Baldwin – USA – Vanderbilt

The Memphis Grizzlies selected Wade Baldwin out of Vanderbilt with the 17th overall pick in 2016. As they were looking for point guard depth at the time, the versatile guard seemed perfect for Memphis. Unfortunately he proved himself to be a jack of all trades and master of none. He last plied his trade with Raptors 905, the Toronto Raptors affiliate team, in the NBA G-League.

2015: Jarrell Martin – USA – LSU

Jarrell Martin was a double-double machine for LSU, before he was selected 25th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies. He seemed to fit the tempo of the Grizzlies’ Grit-N-Grind game plan. Unfortunately he didn’t impress and now plays for the Orlando Magic.

Who Were the Grizzlies’ Best Picks?

2006: Kyle Lowry – USA – Villanova

• NBA Champion (2019)
• 5x NBA All-Star (2015-2019)
• All-NBA Third Team (2016)

.@Klow7: Champion pic.twitter.com/ryzGYQwfiB

— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 17, 2019

Kyle Lowry is far and away one of the best players to ever be drafted by the Grizzlies. Unfortunately, the NBA Champion and defensive ace wasn’t half the player in Memphis as he is today. Tempers and rotation issues led Lowry to demand an out from Memphis and he only grew from that point. Lowry recently won his first NBA Championship with the Toronto Raptors.

2007: Mike Conley – USA – Ohio State

• NBA All-Defensive Second Team (2013)

The Mike Conley-to-Utah discussion is heating up and @omarisankofa & @Tjonesonthenba looked at:

1? What the deal might look like
2? What it means for the Jazz
3? What it means for the Grizzlieshttps://t.co/0GDFIwoG5N pic.twitter.com/kxUtTHRu5M

— The Athletic (@TheAthleticMEM) June 17, 2019

A twelve year veteran of the NBA, all with the Memphis Grizzlies, Mike Conley is one of the most recognizable and capable players in Grizzlies history. Were he not in the wildly competitive Western Conference, he would be the owner of multiple All-Star berths. The Grizzlies are at a crossroads with Mike Conley, but he will certainly go down as one of the best to wear Memphis on his chest.

2009: Demarre Carroll – USA – Missouri

In what might be the most absurd game of the year, DeMarre Carroll hits buzzer-beater to force triple overtime pic.twitter.com/edZZv0Pgdh

— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) February 14, 2019

Demarre Carroll may define the type of player the Grizzlies look for more than anyone else. An NCAA transfer and NBA journeyman, Carroll left the Grizzlies in 2011 and became one of the NBA’s most capable 3-and-D wings. His accolades may be bare, but his respect and value around the league is noted. Carroll last played with the Brooklyn Nets.

Who Are the Grizzlies Projected to Select?

(G) Ja Morant – USA – Murray State

Ja Morant showing his exceptional court vision + left handed passing ability with this full speed dime for a layup early for #MurrayState against #FSU. #NBA scouts will watching closely to see how he handles the #Seminoles pressure today pic.twitter.com/kqkx76MRxT

— DraftExpressContent (@DXContent) March 23, 2019

Morant seems to be the most exciting choice for the Memphis Grizzlies with the second overall pick. Regardless of Conley’s future, Morant seems to be the athletic difference maker that the Grizzlies want going forward. His jump shot needs work, so he is unlikely to slot in with the starters with the Grizzlies current roster make-up.

(G-F) RJ Barrett – Canada – Duke

Working through RJ Barrett’s tape for his scouting video. He’s going to look so much better on a spaced NBA floor. Really think he has a lot more vision than he was able to show at Duke. Can see over the top of PnR at 6’7. pic.twitter.com/LYGicB9rG9

— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) April 17, 2019

If the Grizzlies want to find a steadier player with the second overall pick, look no further than RJ Barrett. The playmaking Canadian slots in well with the Grizzlies in the back court, but if they see him as a small forward he joins a glut of capable wings in Kyle Anderson, Chandler Parsons, and Bruno Caboclo. Barrett has the brightest future of all of them, but his role as a playmaking small forward is tough to encourage in a rookie.

2019 NBA Draft Odds

If you are in New Jersey you can bet on the NBA Draft with BetStars NJ. Here are the latest odds. Good luck!

First Draft Pick

* 21+ | NJ only | If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER

Second Overall Draft Pick

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