Who will the Grizzlies select in the 2024 NBA Draft? Here's what the experts are saying
Now, the real work begins.
After weeks of uncertainty, the Memphis Grizzlies know where they’ll be picking in the 2024 NBA Draft. Memphis slid down to nine after having the seventh-best odds to secure the top pick.
The news was damaging for the Grizzlies’ big man hunt, but from an overall talent perspective, the 2024 draft class isn’t viewed as being top heavy.
Shortly after Sunday’s draft lottery ended, many publications released their mock drafts and confirmed what’s already been suggested. A bevy of prospects in the top-10 range are all generating buzz to go anywhere from No. 1 to the bottom of the top 10.
Memphis may not be able to get its much-needed center at No. 9, but there are players who can make Memphis marginally better and potentially have a big impact in future seasons.
There isn't a consensus on what Memphis will do next. For example, ESPN's mock draft has the Grizzlies selecting Stephon Castle at No. 9, but the UConn guard was off the board on many of the other mock drafts surveyed by The Commercial Appeal.
Here’s who the latest mock drafts have the Grizzlies selecting.
Ron Holland a hot commodity?
The trendy pick in most mock drafts is G League Ignite forward Ron Holland being selected by the Grizzlies. The Athletic, Bleacher Report and The Ringer all have Holland joining the Grizzlies. At 6-foot-8, he would join a stacked group of wings but should instantly be one of the more talented players in that group. Holland averaged 20.6 points on 44.3% shooting in 14 G League games.
Other notable landing spots for Holland include 10th on ESPN’s mock, 11th in Kyle Boone’s CBS mock draft and 7th on Yahoo’s board.
Grizzlies' Donovan Clingan dream remains alive?
Falling to ninth hurt the Grizzlies more than most teams because of their need for a big man. Most mock drafts have two bigs going in the top 10, and the Grizzlies are one of the few teams in that range with a notable frontcourt need. Since Memphis is in a small group of teams searching for a center or jumbo power forward, could 7-foot-2 UConn center Donovan Clingan fall to Memphis? Boone’s CBS mock draft and USA Today are among the places that believe the projected top-five pick will slide to the Grizzlies.
Bleacher Report, ESPN and Yahoo Sports all have Clingan going in the top seven selections. Clingan is even projected to go as high as No. 2 in The Ringer’s mock draft.
WHERE GRIZZLIES STAND: Memphis Grizzlies ended up with ninth pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Here are some options
What about the second round Grizzlies options?
A lot of attention has rightfully been placed on the Grizzlies’ first-round pick, but Memphis also owns two second-round selections. For other teams this may be something to just grasp by, but not in Memphis. The Grizzlies have struck gold the last two seasons by drafting GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. in the second round.
Memphis owns the 39th and 57th picks of the second round. As expected, the second-round selections vary more than the first round.
The most popular second round selection for the Grizzlies appears to be Izan Almansa. Historically, Memphis likes its big men from Spain, and Almansa (6-10) is the next Spanish big in line. He played last season with the G League Ignite and averaged 10.5 points to go with 7.2 rebounds. Since it's unlikely the Grizzlies will get their desired big in the first round, taking a chance on a 19-year old Almansa makes sense.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Who 2024 NBA Draft experts say Memphis Grizzlies may take in 1st round
