Draft Report Card: Grading the Memphis Grizzlies' 2022 draft class
The Memphis Grizzlies were as active as any team in the league during last night’s 2022 NBA Draft. General Manager Zach Kleiman made three trades in order to move up in the draft and select the team’s targeted players. So, how did the Grizzlies grade out? Let’s analyze Memphis’ draft class pick-by-pick before coming to […]
The Memphis Grizzlies were as active as any team in the league during last night’s 2022 NBA Draft. General Manager Zach Kleiman made three trades in order to move up in the draft and select the team’s targeted players.
So, how did the Grizzlies grade out? Let’s analyze Memphis’ draft class pick-by-pick before coming to an overall conclusion.
1:19 – F Jake LaRavia (6’8” 235lb) – Wake Forest
The Grizzlies made a deal with the devil (Minnesota Timberwolves) and traded two first-round picks (Nos. 22 & 29) to move up and swipe LaRavia with the 19th overall pick. LaRavia was a three-year starter in college, spending his first two seasons at Indiana State before transferring to Wake Forest.
In 2021, LaRavia averaged 14.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 3.7 APG, earning Second Team All-ACC honors. The 6’8” forward graded well defensively, which pairs nicely with his shot-making ability. LaRavia shot 55.9% from the floor last season, including an impressive 38.4% from three. He is an underrated athlete with plenty of room to develop into a key role player for Memphis.
The fit makes sense for the Grizzlies, especially as the team contemplated moving on from Kyle Anderson. However, trading two first-round picks to move up three spots to take LaRavia was a bit of a reach.
Grade: C+
1:23 G/F David Roddy (6’5” 260) – Colorado State
College hoops fans that enjoyed staying up late and watching Mountain West basketball are in love with this pick. The Grizzlies traded De’Anthony Melton to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for the No. 23 overall pick and SG Danny Green.
While Melton was nicknamed Mr. Do Something, Roddy was Mr. Do Everything in his time at Colorado State. Roddy was the Mountain West’s Player of the Year in 2021-22, dropping 19.2 PPG and hauling in 7.5 RPG.
More often than not, Roddy would bring the ball up the floor in late-game scenarios and could score at all three levels. His clutch gene was the primary reason Colorado State received an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. I love the player, but his size makes him a difficult player to pinpoint in the Grizzlies’ rotation.
Grade: B-
2:38 PG Kennedy Chandler (6’0” 170lb) – Tennessee
Arguably the steal of the second round, Chandler was the victim of a draft night slide as many teams around the league were concerned with his size at 6’0”. However, the Grizzlies had a clear attraction to him throughout the pre-draft process and traded up to snag Chandler. In exchange for the pick, Memphis traded a future second-round pick and cash to the San Antonio Spurs.
Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant, who has worked out with Chandler on a handful of occasions, was thrilled with the selection.
Chandler grew up in Memphis and attended Briarcrest Christian School before finishing his high school career at Sunrise Christian in Kansas. At Tennessee, Chandler ran the Vols’ offense by pushing the pace and attacking the paint. He shot 38.3% from the three, but just 60.6% from the free-throw line, which will have to improve at the next level.
Though short in stature, Chandler’s 6’5” wingspan allowed him to be one of the most disruptive defenders in the SEC last year. Chandler averaged 2.1 steals per game, ranking second in the conference.
Backup PG Tyus Jones is an unrestricted free agent and could opt to take more money and a larger role elsewhere this offseason, making Chandler all the more valuable.
Grade: A+
2:47 G Vince Williams Jr. (6’6” 210lb) – VCU
Williams was Memphis’ final pick of the draft. Playing four seasons at VCU, Williams was one of the best shooters in the Atlantic-10. He averaged 14.1 PPG and six boards per game in 2021-22.
Standing at 6’6” Williams gives the Grizzlies length on the defensive end as well as another option on the perimeter. Williams shot 38.7% from distance last year and 41.3% in 2020-21.
Grade: B
Credit Kleiman for identifying his targets and moving up to draft them. After winning the NBA’s Executive of the Year award, Kleiman is starting to get some long overdue respect within the league.
The Grizzlies entered the draft needing depth at the point guard position along with more scoring options to come off the bench and the team accomplished all of that. LaRavia and Chandler are the two players likely to see the most action in the upcoming season, but additions like Big Body Roddy and Williams could play small roles in 2022-23 as well.
Overall Draft Grade: B+
Featured image via Trevor Ruszkowski – USA TODAY Sports
