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Memphis Grizzlies: 5 biggest errors by GM Chris Wallace

By Jake Peterson

MEMPHIS, TN - SEPTEMBER 17: Chris Wallace, General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, helps introduce new players during a press conference on September 17, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - SEPTEMBER 17: Chris Wallace, General Manager of the Memphis Grizzlies, helps introduce new players during a press conference on September 17, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Drafting Hasheem Thabeet

We could really go over Wallace’s whole draft history and point out all the bad mistakes … well, actually, let’s do that really quick (first-rounders only):

All of those, save Mike Conley and (fingers crossed) Jaren Jackson Jr. look like huge whiffs. DeMarre Caroll and Jarrell Martin are still in the league, but neither played for more than two seasons with the team. The rest of these picks look terrible in retrospect, as Wallace is batting .153 on his first-rounders.

Thabeet, however, was by far the absolute worst. The big man out of UCONN never averaged more than 3.1 points and 3.6 rebounds per game and never really made an impact in the league.

The early warning signs were there that Thabeet would have trouble against NBA-level talent in a 2009 game against DeJuan Blair and Pittsburgh. UCONN, No. 1 at the time, was upset by Pittsburgh as Blair, a 6’6″ forward, put up 22 points and 23 points against the much taller Thabeet.

He could never put it together offensively, often relying on open layups or free throws to score in college, something that didn’t look like was going to transition well in the pros. DraftExpress’ Jonathan Givony said Thabeet showed a “lack of balance and poor lateral quickness” and a “lack of fundamentals.”

Even though he lacked offensive wherewithal, his defense was supposed to be his calling card. That flamed out too, as Thabeet averaged more than a block per game just once in his short career.

He ended up being the first ever top-three pick to be sent down to the then D-League. Thabeet appeared in just 113 games for the Grizzlies before being traded to the Houston Rockets in 2010. He then bounced around the league before finally calling it quits in 2014.

What makes matters worse is who was drafted after Thabeet. Here’s the short list of other players in that draft:

The Grizzlies would have been better taking any of these players. Two of them, Harden and Curry, are first ballot Hall-of-Famers and the rest have had their fair share of accolades. Thabeet, however, is currently doing something without the letters N-B-A in his life and the Grizzlies have suffered immensely.

Next. The 50 greatest NBA players of all time (updated for 2017-18). dark

Moving forward, one can only hope that the Grizzlies make the most of their draft pick this upcoming summer (assuming they keep it). The road to rebuild is a long and treacherous one.

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