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Memphis Grizzlies: 2016 Offseason Grades

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) drives to the basket past Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons (25) drives to the basket past Memphis Grizzlies guard Mike Conley (11) during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Memphis Grizzlies
Jan 28, 2016; Evanston, IL, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Deyonta Davis (23) celebrates during the game against the Northwestern Wildcats at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

Draft Pick No. 2

With the first pick of the second round of the draft, Memphis unearthed another gem that was still available far later than expected, taking Michigan State power forward Deyonta Davis at No. 31.

Originally projected to be taken somewhere in the late lottery or early 20s, Davis is an alarmingly athletic big with a 6’11” frame, a 7’3″ wingspan and a 9’1″ standing reach. Though he only averaged 7.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in his lone season with the Spartans, Davis already has an NBA body, can rebound and block shots exceedingly well and is slowly but surely expanding his shooting range too.

In Memphis, this 19-year-old should be instilled with the core values of grit-n-grind while also being schooled in playing fundamentally sound defense — a potentially terrifying combination considering the physical attributes he’s already been blessed with.

He still needs to polish his offensive game and he missed all of NBA Summer League due to plantar fasciitis, but there’s a reason Davis was signed to a record deal for a second round pick of three years and $4 million: he shouldn’t have still been available in the second round.

Grade: A

Next: The Rest Of The Draft

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