Complete 2018 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams
Memphis Grizzlies
- No. 4: Jaren Jackson Jr., Michigan State
- No. 32: Jevon Carter, West Virginia
The Memphis Grizzlies missed out on their chance at Doncic, and since Mohamed Bamba refused to work out for them, Jaren Jackson Jr. is about as good as it was going to get. This isn’t a sexy pick, but it’s a fundamentally sound one that helps the Grizz compete in the interim and will help them rebuild once they mercifully pull the plug on the Mike Conley Jr. and Marc Gasol era.
Jackson is one of the safest picks in the draft, with stout defensive ability, the potential to spread the floor and all of the skills you’d want in a modern-day big. He’s one of the draft’s youngest players at 18, is an elite shot-blocker, can shoot 3s and does the little things that help good teams win.
Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace basically told me Jaren Jackson Jr. could become the best shot-blocker and all-around defender the franchise has ever had. That's high praise considering Marc Gasol was a DPOY and Tony Allen was arguably best defensive guard of his era.
— Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) June 22, 2018
At No. 32, the Grizzlies continued to bolster the defensive end with perhaps the most imposing point guard defender of the draft class, Jevon Carter. West Virginia’s favorite pit bull impressed at the draft combine and was a proven winner in college. Fitting the Jalen Brunson, Devonte’ Graham kind of mold, he’ll carve out a nice career for himself thanks to his defense and high IQ that defies a lack of athleticism or size.
Grade: A-