2012 NBA Draft Grades: Grizzlies Select Tony Wroten Jr.

Pick 25: Memphis Grizzlies
Selection: Tony Wroten

Bryan Rosa – A Royal Pain

Love this pick for the Grizzlies as Wroten has a unique skill set that you don’t often see this late on the board. He has some serious growing to do, which is the main cultprit for his falling into the late 20’s, but he has speed and a driving ability that will help him have a solid NBA career. He also has a great ability to see the floor – a high reward, low risk, this late in the draft.

Grade: B+

Jack Winter-Saving the Skyhook

Wroten has potential for days, his combination of size, ballhandling ability, vision, and athleticism an extremely rare commodity. He can’t shoot at all and has some character concerns, but this late in the draft is easily worth the risk. He doesn’t fit well on this Grizzlies roster, though, as Mike Conley deserves the vast majority of lead guard minutes and the team lacks shooting. With next year in mind, Doron Lamb would have been a better pick. Long term, though, it’s tough to go wrong with Wroten.

Grade: B

Quixem Ramirez- Air Alamo

Wroten Jr. is a highly volatile pick. He has unheard of size for the point guard position so he shouldn’t have trouble shooting over his shorter counterparts. The only thing is that he can’t shoot very well. His porous shooting — Wroten made 48.8% of his shots last season (free throws, 3-pointers, 2-pointers) — needs to be addressed.

Grade: B

Bryan Wendland-Roberto Gato

The Grizzlies just added some size to their roster… at the point guard spot. He’s a very good passer, he can get to the rim and he is a pretty good defender, too. He knows how to get to the free-throw line and some people think this guy might be the next Rajon Rondo. The Grizzlies will be able to slowly develop him, and I think Memphis made a great pick here.

Grade: A