Memphis Grizzlies: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

3. Shareef Abdur-Rahim (PF) — No. 3 pick in 1996 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Grizzlies, 1996-2001):  375 GP, 20.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.1 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 46.4 FG%, 29.2 3P%, 80.1 FT%

Shareef Abdur-Rahim is the most efficient Grizzlies draftee of all time. However, he falls third on the list due to the lack of impact his numbers had on the franchise’s fortunes. He held a 19.7 Player Efficiency Rating during his five years in Vancouver, second-highest in franchise history. Meanwhile, the team won 86 games over that timespan and never made the playoffs.

Abdur-Rahim put up big numbers instantly after being drafted out of California. He averaged 18.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. That stat-stuffing earned him a spot on the 1997 All-Rookie First Team.

Abdur-Rahim cracked the 20-point plateau the following season. He averaged a career-high 23.0 points per game during the 1998-99 campaign. In 1999-00 he averaged a double-double, notching 20.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

Those numbers earned him a spot on the 2000 US Olympic Team. That team went on to win Gold in Sydney, Australia. Abdur-Rahim is the only Grizzlies draftee to be an Olympian.

Abdur-Rahim came back from Sydney and delivered another strong season. He averaged 20.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. However, the Grizzlies decided to deal him away on draft night 2001. Abdur-Rahim and the draft rights to Jamaal Tinsley were shipped to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Brevin Knight, Lorenzen Wright and the rights to Pau Gasol.

The trade didn’t deter Abdur-Rahim’s production. In fact, his 21.2 points and 9.0 rebounds earned him his lone career All-Star appearance in 2002. He would go on to play six more seasons in the NBA after that.

Abdur-Rahim was developing into an All-Star-caliber player in Vancouver. The Grizzlies were eventually able to mortgage that into another All-Star big. Abdur-Rahim still averages the most minutes (38.0) and points per game (20.8) in franchise history.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim’s talent is often overlooked in NBA conversations. However, without him, it would have been a lot harder to acquire Pau Gasol.