From the Pacific Northwest to the banks of the Mississippi River, here are the top 10 draft picks in Memphis Grizzlies franchise history.
The Memphis Grizzlies didn’t make any picks in the 2017 NBA Draft. The two selections ear-marked for them were traded away long ago.
Their 2017 first round pick was dealt away in January 2013. It exchanged hands twice more before becoming a Portland Trail Blazers pick on draft night. The second round pick was sent away in January 2014, eventually belonging to the Denver Nuggets.
However, the Grizzlies still managed to acquire rookies from the class of 2017. The team picked up Oregon’s Dillon Brooks and California’s Ivan Rabb on draft night via trade. They also brought over 22-year-old Rade Zagorac from Serbian club Mega Leks., but he was eventually released before the start of the season.
Fans will hope that the other two have fruitful careers in Memphis. It’s been awhile since the Grizzlies have drafted an impact player. Instead, general manager Chris Wallace has opted for other team-building methods such as trades and free agency. In fairness, his ways have helped the Grizzlies make seven consecutive playoff appearances.
But out of the franchise’s 43 selections, spanning both their Memphis and Vancouver days, who makes up the top 10? This article seeks to answer that question. The list is based off of a draftee’s total stats, accomplishments and impact on the franchise.
Which draft picks have left a lasting mark on the Memphis Grizzlies’ legacy? Here’s the top 10.