It wasn’t the greatest of seasons for the Memphis Grizzlies as the team struggled to a 42-40 record and a first-round loss to the San Antonio Spurs. With the No. 17 choice in the June 23 NBA Draft, Memphis will be trying to get back to the level that they were at just a few seasons ago where it looked like they could win a NBA title. The team will be looking to avoid major losses in free agency and hoping that one of the better players in the draft falls to them.
The key free agents are Mike Conley and Lance Stephenson. Conley averaged 15.3 points and 6.1 assists a game as one of the best point guards in the whole NBA. Stephenson averaged 14.2 points in 26 games for Memphis. Conley would be the biggest loss of them all because it would force the Grizzlies to look for a new point guard instead of improving on their wing play and finding a three-point threat to open up the offense.
There are plenty of people who believe that Marquette forward Henry Ellenson will be the pick but Denzel Valentine may end up being the better pick with his outside shot. The key will be the Grizzlies finding the right fit. Ellenson would help Marc Gasol on the inside while Valentine would really assist Memphis from the perimeter. This will be a big draft for the Grizzlies and their chances to move up the Western Conference standings.
NBA Draft 2016: Memphis Grizzlies Draft Picks, Holes & Needs
