The Memphis Grizzlies greatly overachieved this season by securing a record of 56-26 on the season and ending second in the Western Conference. The scrappy Grizzlies squad proved that they are ready to compete sooner rather than later and leave plenty to build on following the season. After being knocked out in the Western Conference Semifinals by the Golden State Warriors, Memphis must turn its attention to next season.
The Grizzlies hold two first-round picks in the upcoming draft at Nos. 22 and 29. As they search for the missing pieces to get them over the edge, this is an excellent place to start fro Memphis. While most of the win-now players are expected to be scooped up in the lottery, the Grizzlies can still capitalize on their selections. After all, this franchise has been excellent at finding gems later in the draft of late to complement the high picks.
If Memphis doesn't look to package these picks to move up, here are three names to keep an eye on with the 22nd selection.
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Best options for Grizzlies with No. 22 pick in 2022 NBA Draft
Kennedy Chandler- PG Tennessee
With Tyus Jones set to hit free agency, the Grizzlies could find themselves in the market for a backup point guard. While the Grizzlies certainly would love to have Jones back, it seems likely his impressive play may have priced them out of a new deal. It is difficult to replace the production of such a key contributor, but Kennedy Chandler would be a nice target.
The Tennesse product is lightning quick and has a little bit of Ja Morant in his game. He has an impressive first step and is a craft finisher around the rim. Chandler averaged 13.9 points 4.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals in his lone collegiate season. He also has a decent-looking jump shot and connected on 38.3% of his 3-point attempts. His shooting motion will likely need to be sped up some at the next level, but the success is there.
Standing 6-foot-1 and with a relatively small frame, Chandler will need to put on weight at the next level. Even so, he has good defensive instincts and active hands that allow him to remain impactful. It likely will be a few years until he develops fully, but Chandler's skill set would fit the Grizzlies' identity and style of play. He may be the beneficiary of a weak point guard class but is worth a selection nonetheless.
Blake Wesley- Wing Notre Dame
If Blake Wesley is still on the board at pick 22, this would be a slam-dunk pick. The Notre Dame standout has an NBA frame and a well-rounded skill set. Wesley is agile and possesses a blow-by pace which is put on display when attacking the basket. His ability to penetrate is the biggest key in his game at the moment, and he will remain an elite athlete at the NBA level.
Wesley averaged 14.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.3 steals last season. He is a fiery competitor and plays with a chip on his shoulder. He is comfortable with the ball in his hands and makes solid reads out of the pick-and-roll. Wesley will likely project as a tweener in the NBA and concerns exist about his ball dominance. Even so, there is certainly a place for his skill set in the NBA, and his long-term outlook projects well.
If the 19-year-old had elected to return to college, there is a real chance he could be in the top-five discussion next season. He needs to refine his game, but the skill is there. Blake Wesley's competitive spirit and overall skill set would be a great fit for Memphis.
MarJon Beauchamp- Wing G League Ignite
A 6-foot-6 wing with an over 7-foot wingspan, MarJon Beauchamp is going to wreak havoc on the defensive end. The G League Ignite standout is capable of guarding multiple positions and has impressive defensive instincts. He has the frame and athleticism of an NBA wing and also asserts himself as a rebounder.
As great as he is defensively and in transition, Beauchamp has plenty of room for improvement offensively. While he managed to average 15.1 points per game, he shot just 24.2% on 3-point attempts. He also was just a 65% free-throw shooter, which is a bad sign surrounding his jump shot. This lack of shooting likely caps his overall ceiling, although there is hope he can improve. He is a good cutter and shows promise in the midrange.
Defense will likely always be his calling card, but he needs to improve his shooting. The 3-and-D role player has become increasingly important in the NBA, but if one of these aspects is missing, it is difficult for these players to stay on the court when games matter. The impact MarJon Beauchamp makes without a reliable jumper is impressive, so he's worth a long-term gamble.
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