How Lucky Can Pick 23 Be?

According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Memphis Grizzlies traded point guard Mike Conley to the Utah Jazz for Kyle Korver, Jae Crowder, Grayson Allen, the 23rd pick in the NBA Draft, and a 2020 protected first round pick. For the first time since 2007, neither Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Tony Allen, or Zach Randolph will be on the Grizzlies to start an NBA season. This is the end of the Grit n' Grind era in Memphis. I'll have a piece on how much this group meant to Memphis and what the future holds for this franchise after the draft. But until then, let's look at who the Grizzlies might be getting this Thursday.

Murray State's Ja Morant will almost certainly be drafted 2nd overall. The high-flyer from Dalzell, South Carolina is one of the most explosive players in the draft with the ability to pick apart defenses attacking the rim and creating for teammates. But who will the Grizzlies receive at pick 23?

First, I must note the Grizzlies will not make this pick themselves. The Utah Jazz will not make this pick themselves. Utah will draft a player at 23 for the Grizzlies. This is important to remember for Grizzlies fans who might not like the player we're getting, then bash our front office for it. Please, don't do that. With this said, here are a few players I'd love to have at 23.

Cameron Johnson

Many analysts view the 6'9 forward from North Carolina as one of the best pure shooters in the draft. If you've been a Grizzlies fan for the past 10 years, you know the main thing the Grizzlies have lacked: shooting. Perhaps finally the Grizzlies can find the solution to that problem. The guy can absolutely drain it from 3 shooting 45.7% from 3 on 5.8 attempts per game. While Johnson is old for the draft at 23 and doesn't project as anything more than a great 3 point shooter and solid defender, he would be the perfect player to add to this young core.

Ty Jerome

As I said before, drafting Ja Morant is a foregone conclusion. But depth at the guard position is always needed. The Grizzlies have 2018 2nd round pick Jevon Carter and could offer guard Delon Wright a qualifying offer making him a restricted free agent this summer. But if the Grizzlies get the 6'5 guard Ty Jerome, I believe the Grizzlies should let him walk. Jerome is a solid ball handler with a good basketball iq and can work well in the pick and roll. Like Johnson, Jerome was a great 3-point shooter making 40% of his 3s as well. Having Jerome play off the ball with Morant or on the ball in the 2nd unit would be a great fit for this team.

Nicolas Claxton

The 6'11 forward/center from the University of Georgia has risen up draft boards in the past few days after scouts saw his workouts. Claxton showed real promise as a long and agile big who can guard multiple positions and score in different ways. Looking at the Grizzlies roster, they are sure to resign forward Ivan Rabb. But after him and Jaren Jackson Jr., there are no other bigs. This means finding frontcourt depth should be a priority for the next few seasons as the Grizzlies look to rebuild. Claxton could be a great option.

Bol Bol

I went in depth on the pros and cons of drafting Bol Bol in my full NBA Mock Draft, but to reiterate, Bol Bol is a 7'3 shot-blocking behemoth with guard skills. The biggest reason he is not going in the top 5 is his injury concerns. Bol missed most of the 2018 season with a foot injury, and teams are always concerned with drafting bigs with a history of foot or leg injuries considering their massive height and slender frames. But Bol's potential, if he stays healthy and adds muscle, is insanely high. I asked some Grizzlies fans on twitter if they would draft Bol Bol at 23, and 71% said no. That makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. The Grizzlies are in full rebuild mode and don't need Bol Bol to contribute right away. Worst case scenario: Bol Bol keeps getting hurt and his NBA career fizzles out meaning the 23rd pick the Grizzlies didn't even make doesn't pan out. But imagine this: Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Bol Bol all reach their potential meaning the Grizzlies have a genuine big 3. You sure you wouldn't want that Memphis?