After being edged out by the Portland Trailblazers for a postseason berth in the 2020 playoffs, the Grizzlies were sent back home to prepare for another what will likely be another rebuild season, though they are nearing the end on this era.
The Grizzlies, unlike the prior two seasons, didn’t have a top-five or even a lottery pick this year. Originally, Memphis only had one draft pick, but managed to trade their way into the end of the first round and upgraded their original pick (the 40th) into the 35th.
At pick number 30, the Grizzlies selected guard Desmond Bane out of Texas Christian University. At 35, Memphis grabbed forward/center hybrid Xavier Tillman out of Michigan State.
To acquire Bane, the Grizzlies sent two potential second-round selections over to the Boston Celtics. Bane’s specialty is shooting from beyond the arc, but he has the potential to help in the pick-and-roll and add another dimension to the offense. His scoring ability at the rim could use work, but Bane is noted for his two-way play and high energy. Bane’s strong frame and lethal scoring ability could make him into one of the better two-way players in the league in due time.
Tillman will add strong defense and playmaking abilities to the Grizzlies’ roster. The 2020 Big-Ten Defensive Player of the Year has a huge six-foot-eight, 245 pound frame that makes grabbing rebounds easy. With the Spartans, Tillman averaged north of two blocks per game during his tenure. Last season, Tillman also averaged over 10 rebounds per game. His high basketball IQ typically puts him in the right spot at the right time.
Considering that Memphis originally had little draft capital to work with going in, I think they did a great job at snagging a three-point specialist and a defensive specialist this year. The Grizzlies addressed their main areas of need in my opinion, and I can definitely see the squad making the postseason next time around.
