Memphis Grizzlies: Ranking the last 10 first-round NBA draft picks

MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 20: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies and Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies look on prior to a game against the New Orleans Pelicans on January 20, 2020 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 Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images /

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Memphis Grizzlies, NBA draft Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images /

8. DeMarre Carroll

DeMarre Carroll is one of several players on this list who turned out to be a solid NBA player. Sadly for Grizzlies fans, it didn’t happen in Memphis for the forward.

Carroll was selected with the 27th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the Grizzlies. The First Team All-Big 12 player at Missouri was destined to come off the bench for Memphis, as well as play with the D-League’s Dakota Wizards for a spell.

As a rookie, Carroll played in 71 games and even started one, averaging 11.2 minutes per game. He didn’t do much with his playing time, however, averaging just 2.9 points and 2.1 rebounds per game without hitting a single 3-pointer. It was more of the same during his second season, as he averaged 1.4 points and 1.1 rebounds over the first seven games.

Then, just like that, his time with the Grizzlies was up. Memphis dealt him (along with Hasheem Thabeet and a first-round pick) to the Houston Rockets for Shane Battier and Ish Smith, who combined to play just 38 regular season games for the team after the trade.

Carroll became a journeyman of sorts, but eventually became a real rotational player in the league and even a starter for several teams. As life is a closed circle, Carroll was signed by the Houston Rockets as a free agent in February.

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