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The Memphis Grizzlies enjoyed yet another strong season in the 2021-22 campaign, making the postseason for the second consecutive year. Not only that, but the Grizzlies won 50-plus games for the first time since the 2014-15 season. The last time Memphis was this promising, they sported a similarly hard-nosed roster that earned the nickname Grit-N-Grind, an era that didn't result in a championship but saw the core of Mike Conley, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph become perennial contenders in a tough Western Conference.
These Grizzlies aren't there yet, but the fact that Ja Morant's squad took the eventual-champion Golden State Warriors to six, hard-fought games says a lot. It was, effectively, Morant and company announcing their presence to the rest of the Conference. But there is still work to be done.
For all its success, Memphis is not without its faults. The Grizzlies, who will likely lose backup guard Tyus Jones to free agency, could use someone to run the offense off the bench, also serving as insurance in the event that Morant goes down.
The Steven Adams experiment did not work in Memphis, with head coach Taylor Jenkins opting to go elsewhere in the postseason. It's clear that a change at the center position could do the Grizzlies well.
Fortunately, Thursday night's NBA Draft will present Memphis with another chance to add to their young core. They'll undoubtedly have these team needs in mind on draft night.
But which players should the Grizzlies steer clear from? They could use a center, but it would ideally be someone who can space the floor, unlike Adams.
Memphis could use an extra scorer on the wing, but will it be someone who can fit alongside the slashing Morant?
These are things the franchise must consider on draft night. That said, here are two players the Grizzlies must avoid in the NBA Draft.
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2 Players Grizzlies Must Avoid In NBA Draft
2. Tari Eason
At first glance, LSU's Tari Eason, who transferred from Cincinnati, seems like the perfect Grizzlies player. At 6-8 and 215 pounds, Eason has the size to switch seamlessly between the forward spots, something that would suit them if they opted to go small-ball, like they did in the playoffs.
Eason is a capable two-way player, having averaged 16.9 points and 1.9 steals while knocking down 35.9 percent of his three-point attempts. His 7-foot-2 wingspan and large hands give people Kawhi Leonard vibes.
He did overhaul his shot heading into his second college season, with his release a bit unconventional. That might be what gives scouts some pause about Eason and his three-point shooting, especially considering his 24.1 percent mark from beyond the arc in his first year with Cincinnati.
Of course, the Grizzlies have shown an ability to select average three-point shooters with other redeeming qualities, helping them to develop into capable shooters.
Eason figures to be off the board in the mid-teens of the draft, which is where the Grizzlies have been rumored to be angling towards via a trade.
If Memphis pulls off the move, they should look for a wing with a more trustworthy three-point shot, an area the team needs to improve.
The 7-foot-1 Walker Kessler seems like another prospect who Grizzlies fans would love to hear have his name called on NBA draft night. Kessler, a product of UNC and Auburn, played very well against SEC and ACC competition, earning SEC All-Defense honors in 2021.
The Newnan, Georgia native averaged 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and an eye-popping 4.6 blocks per game. 4.6 blocks! For a Grizzlies team that could be looking to move on from Adams at center, they could be staring at their future five in Kessler.
Only, the Auburn product shares some of the same offensive limitations as Adams. Kessler is excellent inside the three-point line, having shot over 70 percent on two-pointers. However, he knocked down just 20 percent of his 1.5 three-point attempts, giving little encouragement that he can develop into a capable floor-spacer in the NBA.
He would undoubtedly help the Grizzlies as a shot-blocking ace. However, his struggles outside the paint could make opposing defenses easily sag off of him on the perimeter.
Defensively, college teams often attacked Kessler in the pick-and-roll, making him nearly unplayable at some points. Sounds familiar, right Grizzlies fans?
Don't get me wrong. Kessler has the potential to be a great NBA player. He just has to be drafted into the right system with the right personnel around him to help him adjust to the NBA game.
Unfortunately, Kessler plays too much like Adams to be deemed an upgrade at the center spot.
