Memphis Grizzlies: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history
8. Kyle Lowry (PG) — No. 24 pick in 2006 NBA Draft
Career stats (with the Grizzlies, 2006-09): 141 GP, 8.6 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 42.4 FG%, 25.8 3P%, 73.9 FT%
Kyle Lowry’s total body of work in the NBA would potentially put him atop this list. However, his Grizzlies tenure only showed the tip of the iceberg of what he could be.
Lowry started his career as the third-string point guard behind Chucky Atkins and Damon Stoudamire. Despite that positioning, he saw plenty of minutes early on. He came away averaging 17.5 minutes per game in his rookie year.
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However, Lowry’s first season was cut short after only 10 games when he went down with a broken wrist. He averaged 5.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game in the time allotted to him.
His second season was mired in controversy. The team took Mike Conley No. 4 overall in the 2007 NBA Draft, making it clear they wanted Conley to be the point guard of the future despite having Lowry on the roster already. When Lowry expressed his displeasure with the move, he was instantly labelled a “bad influence” in the locker room.
Still, Lowry played 82 games in 2007-08, making nine starts. He averaged 25.5 minutes, 9.6 points, 3.6 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game.
Halfway through the 2008-09 season, Lowry was sent to the Houston Rockets as part of a three-team trade. His production increased there before he was dealt to the Toronto Raptors in 2012. In 2015, he would make the first of three consecutive All-Star appearances.
Despite his bench role in Memphis, Lowry is 10th in Grizzlies history in assists per game (3.6). His production and competitive nature showed itself in small doses in his first years in Memphis, but now he displays it every time he steps on the floor for the Raptors.