Not as much noise this morning as yesterday, but a few notes before I continue my epic three-part series on the Grizzlies’ three draft-day possibilities:
The posturing seems to have accelerated in the Michael Beasley trade discussions. Chad Ford reported last night that the Heat are seriously considering taking O.J. Mayo (or even Jerryd Bayless) at #2 if they can’t work out an acceptable deal for the rights to Beasley.
This morning, Grizzlies beat writer Ron Tillery reported in the Commercial Appeal that the team is reluctant to include Mike Conley in any deal.
I believe this is what you call a standoff. I think a Beasley deal of some sort is going to go down tomorrow night, though Grizzlies insiders I talked to at today’s workout didn’t think the Grizzlies would end up getting him. However, the one person who really knows — Chris Wallace — isn’t talking. Well, he will be talking on The Chris Vernon Show at 5 p.m. today. We’ll see if Verno can get any choice info out of him.
Other tidbits of gossip and conjecture from today:
The Grizzlies brought in Bill Walker for an interview and physical but questions about his knee make him a long-shot pick at #28.
If the team goes big at #5 — trading up for Beasley or drafting Kevin Love — and then brings in Marc Gasol this summer, then the team’s needs at #28 are going to be on the perimeter. But what if one or more of the draft’s high-upside, high-risk big men — namely DeAndre Jordan or JaVale McGee — are there at #28? A tough decision.
One Grizzlies insider didn’t think Tiger Hero Chris Douglas-Roberts — who was in town for the workout — would fall to #28, but I’m not so sure. I’m also not sure that Douglas-Roberts at #28 would necessarily be the best player on the board. If CDR is there but the Grizzlies have someone ranked higher would they take CDR anyway? I don’t think so.
New Orleans selling their pick at #27 to Portland could factor heavily in CDR’s fate. The Hornets were a potential landing spot, but Portland is expected to go international at #28.
Douglas-Roberts worked out okay for the Grizzlies today: He shot well from mid-range and three-point range and showed some of his trademark crafty shot-making in live drills. But he was clearly a lesser athlete than workout competitors Sonny Weems and Jamont Gordan. I still can’t get a great feel for CDR’s NBA game, but I do know that the common Tayshaun Prince comparison I’ve heard from countless people over the past couple of months is completely bats#*t crazy. Douglas is probably 3-4 inches shorter than Prince and doesn’t have that kind of defensive ability. He may make it as a bench scorer or he may be out of the league within a couple of years, but Tiger homers should probably be prepared for the possibility of him falling into the second round.
As for the other prospects in today: I know the Grizzlies like Weems, but I don’t see him having first-round value. Gordon was a powerful combo guard with a solid shot. Wouldn’t make sense for the Grizzlies right now, but if Conley or Lowry are dealt earlier in the draft, I wouldn’t rule him out at #28.
OMG!! Here the Griz are with the chance of getting the hands down best player in college basketball last year and they won't pull the trigger because of Mike Conley??!!! Are they insane!!?? Come on for Pete's Sake! Conley was overrated at #4 and was out played most of the year by Lowry and Critt!! Why all the sudden is he the savior of this team? CW or Heisley has a chance now to finally land a true high quality player and they won't because of their love for Conley?? Just remember last Summer. CW didn't want to trade Pau even though most knew he was not going to get any better. Instead he tried to build around Pau and now what happened? Those building blocks are all gone!! If the Griz pass on Beasley and instead settle for Kevin Love than I would be surprised if they have over 4,000 a game next year!!
Come on Wallace! You know it is the right thing to do! Throw in a toaster oven if you have to! Just don't miss this once in a lifetime opportunity!!