2015 Draft Preview: Memphis Grizzlies

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: Mike Conley/Beno Udrih/Russ Smith

SG: Courtney Lee/Vince Carter/Jordan Adams

SF: Tony Allen

PF: Zach Randolph/Jarnell Stokes/JaMychal Green

C: Jon Leuer

2015 Free Agents

PG Nick Calathes 

C Marc Gasol

F Jeff Green (player option)

C Kosta Koufos

2015 Draft Picks

1-25

Team Needs

The Grizzlies perennially need another creative offensive player as well as more 3-point shooting, so it would certainly make sense for them to target a player that can help them in that area. However, there may be bigger needs materializing this summer as both Marc Gasol and Kosta Koufos are going to be free agents. Gasol will likely be re-signed, but Koufos is almost certain to leave for another team, opening up a big hole at backup center. While that may not seem like a big deal, Koufos was one of the best backup centers in the NBA and helped keep Memphis' defense playing at a high level when Gasol was off the court. For Memphis, who's second unit occasionally struggled to score, this was vitally important to their success and kept them from having to overplay Gasol. Memphis is also a team that could make a trade that dramatically reshape their roster, Zach Randolph perhaps?

Potential Fits

There are a couple of shooters that could be available when Memphis drafts, Stanford's Anthony Brown and Virginia's Justin Anderson both could fit the bill and help keep the Grizzlies defense playing at a high level. UNLV's Rashad Vaughn is a shot-creator at shooting guard that could appeal to Memphis, however he is somewhat one dimensional and sort of a lesser version of Jordan Adams. The best fit to what may be Memphis' biggest need is Washington center Robert Upshaw, who is a legitimate top 10 talent but has some big off-the-court issues in his past. Upshaw is the best interior defender in the draft, a shot blocking machine with the strength to bang in the paint. Memphis has done a great job helping rehab questionable characters in the past and have strong team leaders that could help Upshaw get the most out of his ability and life.

Mock Draft
25. Robert Upshaw, C, Washington

Follow me on Twitter @double_tech