Memphis Grizzlies begin the real rebuilding in earnest
By Phil Watson
Storyline 2: How will the debuts of Morant, Clarke fare?
The Memphis Grizzlies, when the draft dealing dust settled, wound up with a pair of first-round picks on their roster for this season.
They selected Murray State point guard Ja Morant at No. 2 overall and wound up with the draft’s 21st overall selection in Brandon Clarke after trading the rights to No. 23 pick Darius Bazley to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
While Morant did not participate in the Las Vegas Summer League after undergoing a procedure to remove a “loose body” from his right knee, Clarke put on a show in Vegas.
He was named Summer League MVP after leading the Grizzlies to the championship, averaging 14.7 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 blocks in just 22.0 minutes per game, while shooting 55.2 percent overall.
He even showed some chops from deep, going 5-for-9 from 3-point range in six games after only attempting 24 3-pointers over three collegiate seasons, two at San Jose State and last season for Gonzaga.
If Clarke, a defensive gem with the timing of a great shot-blocker, can play effectively on the wing at 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds, the Grizzlies could have a frontcourt that is both extremely large — Jaren Jackson Jr. is 6-foot-11 and 242 pounds with stretch-4 abilities and Jonas Valanciunas is a load at 7-feet and 265 pounds — and efficient shooting the ball.
Morant became the first 20-point, 10-assist player in NCAA history last season and his playmaking chops are solid. If he can set up scoring opportunities for guys in the Ohio Valley Conference, imagine what he can do with NBA players on the receiving end of his dimes?
He has the physical skills to be a decent defender, though he sometimes showed a lack of engagement on that end in college.
Clarke looks like a steal at No. 21 and if Morant can play up to the billing of a top-two pick, Memphis’ future will be off to a bright start.