標籤: undertheradar

With EVP Zack Kleiman’s Memphis Grizzlies hoping to usher in a new era by trading Ja Morant this offseason, the direction of the franchise has never been more in doubt. Jaren Jackson Jr. has a new home, and Zack Eddy’s recurring surgeries have already created cracks in the new frontcourt foundation. It appears that at least the Desmond Bane deal was a smart move by the front office, which has been very good at finding value through the NBA Draft.

Both first-round picks will likely be spent on a long wing or some AD insurance. The Grizzlies have been lacking in the big department, so it’s no surprise that the rebounding stats are tied for a season record. As for that low-risk, high-reward 32nd pick? Well, the Grizzlies don’t need a direct Morant replica, but they do need a player who can generate offense and put pressure on defense.

Even if Morant remains in Memphis, the Grizzlies are in an ideal spot to add a scoring guard who can compete for minutes behind Ty Jerome and Cam Spencer while freeing up Jaylen Wells to drive the ball. Clemons shouldn’t feel any pressure to trade back into the first round.

Top 20 NBA Draft choices Brayden Burries (Arizona), Christian Anderson (Texas Tech), LaBron Philon Jr. (Arkansas), Cameron Carr (Baylor), and Bennett Sturtz (Iowa) lack Morant’s elite athleticism and some-or-nothing creativity. That’s why he’s not projected to be a lottery pick, but unlikely to fall out of the first round. The five flawed second-round picks are better comparisons and may provide better value given the salary cap situation.

Jaron Pierre adds true pop

Pierre is the most NBA-ready option of this group and the most likely to contribute immediately, even if the 23-year-old’s ceiling is more modest than the others. The 6-foot-5 ball-handling wing averaged 21.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 38.2% from 3-point range at Jacksonville State, earning Conference USA Player of the Year honors before reaching the portal. He attacks the rim with vertical pop, is capable of making powerful dunks from the free-throw line area, and creates his own shot off the dribble or catch.

The secondary is showing flashes of playmaking playmaking as SMU’s top transfer averages 1.9 assists per game, and Pierre rebounds very well (5.1) for a guard at the power conference level. Those assist numbers could be more in a table-setting role, which Pierre will likely have to prove during any Summer League action. However, this is not the case during March Madness.

The definition of a polished, ready-now bucket-getter, Pierre has consistently filled the stat sheet for the Mustangs (17.6 points, 37.3% 3PA). Their defensive attention to detail also needs some work, but the Grizzlies lack a point guard not named Jaylen Wells. For a Grizzlies team that needs cheap, reliable contributors following the Morant transition, big defensive players are a worse gamble than a microwave scorer.

Tyler Tanner is attracting attention

Tanner is the analytics darling of the class of 2026, a 6-foot, 175-pound point guard who has no business being that good statistically. He averaged 18.9 points, 5.3 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 2.9 steals/blocks per game, while shooting 48.8% from the field and 36.8% from beyond the arc. The scouts in Vandy’s engine are reconsidering whether they have found any foreign objects.

Ringer’s draft board highlights his ability to get down and finish through contact, though the second-year student’s jumper is still a work in progress. For a Grizzlies team that will be rebuilding its offensive hierarchy, the Tennessee native represents a high-floor project that can develop into a reliable backup with starter equity when the shot comes.

A big attacker framed in an undersized frame, Tanner defies every historical precedent. He’s converting over 60% of his half-court rim attempts and is on pace for nearly 30 dunks this season, a number that no 6-footer has touched since 2008. The concern is obvious, but his elite explosiveness, change of pace, and defensive anticipation give him a Fred VanVleet-like trajectory.

melek thomas moving needles

Thomas is the youngest name on this list at 19, and one of the most attractive names. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, he is recognized as a creative center who can initiate offense and make plays with the ball, giving the Grizzlies flexibility with who they draft in the first round. The new players’ passion for the game under Coach Cal is evident, yet the flaws are equally apparent. Thomas entered the season as a potential lottery lock, but inconsistent shooting and struggles against elite competition have cooled his stock.

Forget the worries if Thomas sticks to his NBA Draft plans. Get a five-star All-American in the locker room and worry about the rest later. The Arkansas star shows impressive comfort working in pick-and-roll situations and manipulating the defense with changes of pace. His ability to score from multiple levels makes him a difficult cover, and his size allows him to see defenders when creating passing angles.

If the Grizzlies want a high-upside swing that can develop into a sixth-man spark or more, Thomas fits the bill. Averaging 15.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, while shooting 40.3% from 3-point range over 29 games is enough of a sample size. He also posted 1.6 steals per game, offering the two-way dimension that scouts value in a backcourt prospect.

Thomas shows creative hub flashes off the dribble, attacking advantages, and creating looks for himself and teammates with a high motor on both ends. Early season buzz put him in the lottery conversation on some boards, and his sense of rhythm and flow keeps his impact steady even on off nights. Someone with a top 40 pick will snag this low-risk investment.

brandon smith quietly coming in

Braden Smith has been one of the most prolific pick-and-roll initiators in college basketball, and he rarely misses a perfect play while on offense. Averages of 15.5 points, 8.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds over the last 65 games show proven, consistent, reliability. His 44% assist rate over his last 50 games shows a rare ability to create for others that should translate to the NBA level.

In addition to his offensive skill set, Smith’s basketball IQ, competitiveness and defensive awareness align with the culture the Grizzlies have developed. Despite being undersized at 6-foot-6, Smith makes up for it with a 6-foot-5-inch wingspan, active stealing hands, and a high motor that allows him to compete on that end of the floor.

Tahad Pettiford under pressure

Size limitations and decision-making inconsistencies have pushed them toward the second round on many boards. Auburn’s main table-setter can force contested shots by over-dribbling and struggles to finish beyond length in a half-court setting. Improving his playmaking and efficiency will determine whether he becomes a dynamic spark-plug guard. For the Grizzlies, Pettiford’s burst and scoring mentality mirrors the characteristics that make Morant special, offering high-upside depth that could develop into a dominant creator in the right system.

The Grizzlies are entering a new chapter, and while trading Ja Morant creates an inevitable void, it also creates opportunity. None of these five guards will be able to replace Morant’s highlight-reel talent overnight. However, in a relatively tight draft class, Memphis Creations can swing on upside, athletic pop, and positional size. With two first-round picks already earmarked for the frontcourt, using the 32nd pick on a point guard project with first-round talent and second-round flaws is exactly how the new era should start.