The 2024 NBA Draft is a little less than two weeks away and the Memphis Grizzlies currently hold a lottery pick at No. 9. Even so, this is a veteran-heavy team that just ran into some bad injury luck this past season. When healthy, this is a group that is looking to be a playoff contender and possibly make a strong run in the Western Conference.
With that said, the Grizzlies certainly have the opportunity to add some serious talent to the roster with their pick. There have been reports of the Grizzlies possibly looking to trade the pick in an attempt to move up in the NBA Draft and thus being able to select UConn big man Donovan Clingan. The Grizzlies need for additional size in the frontcourt is noted.
But if no trade materializes, the Grizzlies can still get strong value with their pick. Players end up slipping in the draft each season and the Grizzlies could end up lucking out should that be the casewith Ron Holland of the G League Ignite.
Ron Holland could be available in NBA Draft for the Grizzlies
Ron Holland was once in consideration for the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but most of the recent mocks have cooled considerably on him. If he ends up being available when the Grizzlies pick at No. 9, they should grab him and not think twice.
Some of the drop in Holland’s stock could have come because the Ignite didn’t exactly have a good season. The team finished 2-32 this past season. But Holland is a talent and could end up being one of the top players in the draft. The Grizzlies selecting him would definitely be a ‘best player available’ type of situation.
During the G League regular season, Holland averaged 20.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals with splits of 44.5 percent shooting from the field, 24 percent shooting from the three-point line and 75.7 percent shooting from the the free-throw line. Holland has All-Star potential. The Grizzlies definitely could use frontcourt help, but if Holland is available he needs to be the pick. This would have the potential to pay off big time in the future.
Grizzlies could address frontcourt in NBA Draft with Yves Missi
Provided that the Grizzlies don’t trade up in the draft to grab their center target, they could still address their frontcourt with the No. 9 pick. One player that is likely to be available that the Grizzlies could grab with their pick is Baylor big man Yves Missi. Missi is one of the top center options in the draft.
Missi has secured an invite to the green room suggesting that he is expected to be drafted close to the lottery. He was a one and done player at Baylor and still very raw but has the skill-set to be a typical rim-running big man. The Grizzlies in particular need help rebounding-wise and that’s a strength of his.
In his lone season of college basketball, Missi averaged 10.7 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots with splits of 61.4 percent shooting from the field and 61.6 percent shooting from the free-throw line. His offense is going to be a work in progress, but in terms of rebounding and protecting the rim, those are skills that could translate to the NBA right away.
Kel’el Ware could be the pick for Grizzlies in NBA Draft
Indiana Hoosiers center Kel’el Ware (1) works around Nebraska Cornhuskers forward Josiah Allick (53) during the second half at Target Center.
Another intriguing big man that could be available when the Grizzlies make their pick in the NBA Draft is Indiana big man Kel’el Ware. The No. 9 pick may be a little higher than some mocks have Ware being selected but he too has the potential to be one of the better big men in this draft.
If the Grizzlies are serious about adding size and rebounding to the frontcourt, Ware is not a bad pick. Ware transferred to Indiana after playing his freshman season at Oregon. During his sophomore year of college basketball, he averaged 15.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.9 blocked shots with splits of 58.6 percent shooting from the field, 42.5 percent shooting from the three-point line and 63.4 percent shooting from the free-throw line.
Where Ware differs from Missi is his developing ability to shoot from three-point range. Ware’s offensive game is more developed. He already has the big man frame and is a strong rebounder and shot blocker. Ultimately, it comes down to whether the Grizzlies draft based on need or best player available.
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