Time to Talk Draft

[Jsun947]

If Memphis drafts somewhere from 4-5 and Mayo is available would you do this trade?

Memphis Outgoing: Rights to Mayo, Brian Cardinal
Memphis Incoming: #13, Travis Outlaw, Filler & Future 2nd

Portland Outgoing: #13, Travis Outlaw, Jarret Jack
Portland Incoming: Rights to OJ Mayo, Brian Cardinal

3rd Team Outgoing: Filler & Future 2nd
3rd Team Incoming: Jarret Jack

The trade would definately help you be able to move Miller and/or Darko for expirings and young talent from other teams.

[Downtown]

First off, I have to say that as a Vancouver resident I lost all loyalty to the Grizzlies when they left and have since switched to being a Sonics fan( a two hour drive from Vancouver to see games). But since the news of the possible moving of the Sonics( with all the court cases it looks like it won't happen until after the lease expires in two years in my opinion) I've become a bit nostalgic and have followed the Grizzlies( it's still hard for me to call them Memphis even after all these years) the last quarter of the season.

I think this team is in good shape albeit for the coach, management, and ownership, who obviously cares about money more than winning. Sell to someone who has passion for the game, bring in a more experienced GM, and let Iavoroni go( I believe this team should have won more games than it did and a coaching upgrade would go a long ways in improving that).

Now here's a few things I think the Grizzlies should look at. I would ask Portland if they would like Conley and how far they would go to get him. There's no secret that they want a pointguard upgrade, and that the connection between Conley and Oden can't be denied. There's a good fit for the Blazers. I would ask for the Blazers pick for sure( #13?), and a swap of Collins for Pryzbilla. Portland gets an expiring contract while the Grizzlies get a hardnosed, stay at home, efficient player who both rebounds and blocks shots well. Or attempt in some fashion to get the big expiring contract of Raef Lafrentz in return for Cardinal and Collins, as well as the swap of Conley for their pick. Portland has to decide if it's worth paying a premium to get Conley over whoever they may get with their pick( Augustin, Collison, etc.)

I like Mike Miller and think he's a terrific player, but a more dynamic, defensive shooting guard may be what's needed for the backcourt for this team to go forward. Depending on where you pick I might put Miller on the block and see what offers come in( someone like Ronnie Brewer in Utah is buried behind all that talent but in my opinion is just waiting to bust out as a starter on the right team). But I wouldn't be in any hurry to trade him.

I would keep Warrick at this stage. He looks like he's on the verge of turning into the player the Grizzlies hoped he would, and with an offseason dedicated to getting stronger could be a great sixth man for some time.

So with that table being set it's time to look at who to draft. IF.... the Portland deal did materialize then Derrick Rose is the guy for many obvious reasons. Of course it all depends on a number of factors whether or not you can get him.

Second is Beasley( gee, Rose and Beasley one/two, imagine that). With a stay at home, defensive, tough, experienced center like Pryzbilla both Beasley and Gay would be free to do what they do best. With Beasley it then makes moving Miller a little easier since the bulk of the offense is going to flow through the two young guys and Miller wouldn't be as effective as having a more drive to the hole type and defensive minded athletic shooting guard. Although conventional wisdom also says that with a big outside threat it opens up the inside for passes since defenses must play out more, but I think with a slasher type it forces defenders to leave their man to help which then leaves players like Beasley and Gay open for a drive and dish. And we know those two can finish.

It seems like some in here don't agree, but at #3 I would stick with conventional thinking and pick Brooks Lopez, especially if there's no way to trade Conley to Portland. I've always said if you're weak down the middle then it is going to overshadow everything else. From what I've seen of him this past college season he would be a very good fit. I've read where he's compared to Chris Kaman and Brendon Haywood, but I think there's Andrew Bogut potential in his game. A 14 point and 10 rebound average while blocking a couple of shots a game is very realistic right off the bat. Another factor that I see is that he has a good basketball IQ and unlike my raw centers in Seattle he has the ability to step in right away and have an impact instead of having to wait for three years or so and suffer the growing pains, which is why I don't like the idea of drafting a project big man such as Jordan.

If they could manage to get another lotto pick( Portlands), then there's a crop of power forwards and shooting guards that will be in play still. It's difficult to pinpoint one that will be left but even a Kevin Love may be on board since some flaws were exposed against a stronger player in Dorsey, which is more of the kind of match Love will be up against in the NBA.

If we're talking about the hard reality of things and no deals are made, the pick stays at #3, then I say stick to the straight and narrow and go with Lopez. And for the bottom of the first with the Lakers pick go with either a combo center/power forward such as Jason Thompson, a terrific fundamentally sound player who as a senior may be NBA ready to grasp coaching schemes quicker, or one of the combo shooting guard/small forward types that are projected to be left on alot of mock drafts. You couldn't go wrong with Brandon Rush at that pick, that's for sure. Courtney Lee may also be available at the top of the second round.

But even with just sticking with the picks you have there's no reason to believe that things won't be better next season. I might add that a battlehardened, playoff experienced veteran or two, not even a star quality player sure wouldn't hurt. The ability to get tough in the fourth quarter of games and rise to the challenge when it counts is as important as being plain talented and skilled. The grit factor and will to win can't be discounted and when it becomes contagious on a team it has that steamroller effect. Young teams need that leader that can shoulder a load and give that boost of confidence to the less experienced players.

Sorry about the longwindedness.

[SD2042]

Good post DT. On Brook Lopez, I know the profile on him sounds good and all. What I'm concern with is that Stanford is known for their academics rather than being a bball powerhouse like your Dukes or North Carolinas have produced. More likely, my reasoning is coming from generalization into Stanford players who are in the pros that aren't known for their better successes skill wise.

[Butter]

I do think that Portland and Memphis could do some business on draft day. What are Memphis's biggest needs? PF, C, and SG?

The Blazers might be interested in Conley, but I think the Oden/Conley connection is over-valued. To get Conley, the Blazers would probably give up the #13 and some bit pieces, but I don't see them overing much more than that.

I was wondering if the Grizz would be interested in a trade of:

Rudy Fernandez and filler for the Grizz top pick? IF the Grizz win the lottery, obviously this wouldn't fly. But if their looking at the #4 pick, and Lopez is off the board, they'll probably be looking at one of the PG/combo players.

Fernandez is billed as a Manu Ginobli type player. He would really upgrade the Grizz SG spot. Is that something fans would be interested in?

[SD2042]

Lopez is a center. How's he billed as a Manu type player? You must've meant Fernandez. Personally, I wanted the Grizz to trade off for an extra first rounder to get Fernandez. The guy can play from what I've read and heard.

[Butter]

Lopez is a center. How's he billed as a Manu type player? You must've meant Fernandez. Personally, I wanted the Grizz to trade off for an extra first rounder to get Fernandez. The guy can play from what I've read and heard.

Lopez/Fernandez typo...

Would the Grizzlies be interested in a Fernandez package for their top 5 pick?

[G.A. Clone]

-= original quote snipped =-



Lopez/Fernandez typo...

Would the Grizzlies be interested in a Fernandez package for their top 5 pick?

i dont know much about Fernandez...but for top 5...what if Mayo is still on the board?

[G.A. Clone]

First off, I have to say that as a Vancouver resident I lost all loyalty to the Grizzlies when they left and have since switched to being a Sonics fan( a two hour drive from Vancouver to see games). But since the news of the possible moving of the Sonics( with all the court cases it looks like it won't happen until after the lease expires in two years in my opinion) I've become a bit nostalgic and have followed the Grizzlies( it's still hard for me to call them Memphis even after all these years) the last quarter of the season.

I think this team is in good shape albeit for the coach, management, and ownership, who obviously cares about money more than winning. Sell to someone who has passion for the game, bring in a more experienced GM, and let Iavoroni go( I believe this team should have won more games than it did and a coaching upgrade would go a long ways in improving that).

Now here's a few things I think the Grizzlies should look at. I would ask Portland if they would like Conley and how far they would go to get him. There's no secret that they want a pointguard upgrade, and that the connection between Conley and Oden can't be denied. There's a good fit for the Blazers. I would ask for the Blazers pick for sure( #13?), and a swap of Collins for Pryzbilla. Portland gets an expiring contract while the Grizzlies get a hardnosed, stay at home, efficient player who both rebounds and blocks shots well. Or attempt in some fashion to get the big expiring contract of Raef Lafrentz in return for Cardinal and Collins, as well as the swap of Conley for their pick. Portland has to decide if it's worth paying a premium to get Conley over whoever they may get with their pick( Augustin, Collison, etc.)

I like Mike Miller and think he's a terrific player, but a more dynamic, defensive shooting guard may be what's needed for the backcourt for this team to go forward. Depending on where you pick I might put Miller on the block and see what offers come in( someone like Ronnie Brewer in Utah is buried behind all that talent but in my opinion is just waiting to bust out as a starter on the right team). But I wouldn't be in any hurry to trade him.

I would keep Warrick at this stage. He looks like he's on the verge of turning into the player the Grizzlies hoped he would, and with an offseason dedicated to getting stronger could be a great sixth man for some time.

So with that table being set it's time to look at who to draft. IF.... the Portland deal did materialize then Derrick Rose is the guy for many obvious reasons. Of course it all depends on a number of factors whether or not you can get him.

Second is Beasley( gee, Rose and Beasley one/two, imagine that). With a stay at home, defensive, tough, experienced center like Pryzbilla both Beasley and Gay would be free to do what they do best. With Beasley it then makes moving Miller a little easier since the bulk of the offense is going to flow through the two young guys and Miller wouldn't be as effective as having a more drive to the hole type and defensive minded athletic shooting guard. Although conventional wisdom also says that with a big outside threat it opens up the inside for passes since defenses must play out more, but I think with a slasher type it forces defenders to leave their man to help which then leaves players like Beasley and Gay open for a drive and dish. And we know those two can finish.

It seems like some in here don't agree, but at #3 I would stick with conventional thinking and pick Brooks Lopez, especially if there's no way to trade Conley to Portland. I've always said if you're weak down the middle then it is going to overshadow everything else. From what I've seen of him this past college season he would be a very good fit. I've read where he's compared to Chris Kaman and Brendon Haywood, but I think there's Andrew Bogut potential in his game. A 14 point and 10 rebound average while blocking a couple of shots a game is very realistic right off the bat. Another factor that I see is that he has a good basketball IQ and unlike my raw centers in Seattle he has the ability to step in right away and have an impact instead of having to wait for three years or so and suffer the growing pains, which is why I don't like the idea of drafting a project big man such as Jordan.

If they could manage to get another lotto pick( Portlands), then there's a crop of power forwards and shooting guards that will be in play still. It's difficult to pinpoint one that will be left but even a Kevin Love may be on board since some flaws were exposed against a stronger player in Dorsey, which is more of the kind of match Love will be up against in the NBA.

If we're talking about the hard reality of things and no deals are made, the pick stays at #3, then I say stick to the straight and narrow and go with Lopez. And for the bottom of the first with the Lakers pick go with either a combo center/power forward such as Jason Thompson, a terrific fundamentally sound player who as a senior may be NBA ready to grasp coaching schemes quicker, or one of the combo shooting guard/small forward types that are projected to be left on alot of mock drafts. You couldn't go wrong with Brandon Rush at that pick, that's for sure. Courtney Lee may also be available at the top of the second round.

But even with just sticking with the picks you have there's no reason to believe that things won't be better next season. I might add that a battlehardened, playoff experienced veteran or two, not even a star quality player sure wouldn't hurt. The ability to get tough in the fourth quarter of games and rise to the challenge when it counts is as important as being plain talented and skilled. The grit factor and will to win can't be discounted and when it becomes contagious on a team it has that steamroller effect. Young teams need that leader that can shoulder a load and give that boost of confidence to the less experienced players.

Sorry about the longwindedness.

Excellent post Downtown, i really enjoyed reading it. Glad to know that someone knows more about basketball in Vancouver than I do haha and also glad to know that someone feels the same way about the Grizzlies as I do. But in your opinion. Any chance they'll take on Mayo with a top 5 pick?

And 1 question I have. I really liked the suggestion of trading Conley for Pryzbilla, and then drafting Beasley (if we had the chance). But are you suggesting that they use Lowry as the starting PG and JC as the backup?or you had another trade/FA signing you had in mind?

[SD2042]

-= original quote snipped =-



Lopez/Fernandez typo...

Would the Grizzlies be interested in a Fernandez package for their top 5 pick?

I don't the Grizz would sacrifice their top 5 pick. They need it in a worst way.

[darkangle901]

If Derrick Rose is available they take him over Beasley 100 times out of 100, just to clarify. As does any team who is not already set at the guard position.

Rose is unbelievably talented and has the demeanor and work ethic to be labeled a "sure thing." Beasley might be slightly more talented (debatably), but he is not noted for having a particularly strong work ethic on/off the court.

Also, Rose would sell tickets, for sure. This is not the same thing as getting Antonio Burks... Rose would be the new face of the franchise, and would convert some very loyal tiger fans to the Grizzlies in a way that no other tiger (in the calipari era) was capable of doing.

[Downtown]

G.A. Clone, I may have screwed up my post but I was suggesting that they trade Conley only if they can land Rose, not Beasley. If Beasley's in, Conley stays.

OJ Mayo is an interesting player. From the number of games I watched on tv he comes across as being quite mature and polished for a freshman. Many say that it doesn't matter who plays his position for southern cal, Tim Floyds system is so boring and flawed no player can look good in it. Mayo may not have made the big spash that some college players did this year but I like his overall game on both ends of the floor and think he could do well in the NBA.

With that being said I think the Grizzlies should really go after JR Smith. The guy is simply a dynamic young player and at age 23 he's got a great future as a starting shooting guard on the right team. Sure we've heard all the stories about immaturity, but the guy did come right out of highschool and with time is going to settle down character wise. Put him in a position of being a co leader on a team and my guess is that he will become more responsible. I said in my other post that someone like Ronnie Brewer would look good but I haven't seen where that player will materialize this year. A Russel Westbrook or Kyle Weaver are more of combo guards, which Memphis doesn't need. Brewer is a strong 6'7" 220lb defender. Smith is of that size and is now showing that when he wants to can play good defense as well as being an explosive scorer.

It also gives the Grizzlies tons of options. If they truly were going to do what it took to sign Smith then they can focus on surrounding him and Gay with players that can handle other areas. I guess if Beasley can be drafted then I might have to think about Smith since having three young offensive players like him, Beasley, and Gay may not make for the best mix. But that trio sure would be exciting in an uptempo system.

Unless their GM gets stupid and takes someone like Eric Gordon or Deandre Jordan, then I think whichever player they end up with from the group of Beasley, Rose, Lopez, and Mayo is going to be a solid player for them.

I mentioned players like Rush and Lee at the bottom of the first. Another name to throw out is Richard Hendrix. Physically strong, he might be a decent power forward.

[bgassassin]

Pretty good points Downtown. I would say that Utah is out of the question since they have Korver. I don't see them wanting Miller and Korver.

We might have gotten a few more wins with a more experienced coach, but with this roster all that would have meant is a worse spot in the lottery.

Ownership, well we both could probably agree on that one.

[grizzleGM]

I know the 2nd rd is not a popular topic, but I would love to see the Grizz get a 2nd rd pick or two and take a chance with one or two of these three guys.

Shan Foster (Vandy SG)
Sonny Weems (Ark SG)
Bill Walker (Kansas SF)

[bgassassin]

I don't expect Bill Walker to stay in the draft if he isn't a solid first rounder.

If Derrick Rose is available they take him over Beasley 100 times out of 100, just to clarify. As does any team who is not already set at the guard position.

Rose is unbelievably talented and has the demeanor and work ethic to be labeled a "sure thing." Beasley might be slightly more talented (debatably), but he is not noted for having a particularly strong work ethic on/off the court.

Also, Rose would sell tickets, for sure. This is not the same thing as getting Antonio Burks... Rose would be the new face of the franchise, and would convert some very loyal tiger fans to the Grizzlies in a way that no other tiger (in the calipari era) was capable of doing.

No to the first paragraph. A possibly 6'10 PF who is aggressive in the paint, can rebound and has an outside shot shouldn't be treated as irrelevant.

Second paragraph is very debatable. Rudy had the same comment said about him and we have already seen his progress. And it's arguable that Beasley is better than Gay.

Third paragraph is also debatable as winning will still be the main factor to determine selling tickets. I've heard this comment enough to change my stance to that it may give a brief "shot in the arm", but if we lose that boost will go right out the window.