2014 NBA Draft: Grading each team’s draft

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view as basketball fans walk past a sculpture before the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; A general view as basketball fans walk past a sculpture before the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 27, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jordan Adams (3) dribbles defended by Florida Gators guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) during the first half in the semifinals of the south regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 27, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Jordan Adams (3) dribbles defended by Florida Gators guard Scottie Wilbekin (5) during the first half in the semifinals of the south regional of the 2014 NCAA Mens Basketball Championship tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Memphis Grizzlies

As usual, there was no shortage of intrigue into the palace intrigue of the Memphis Grizzlies this year, and that extended to the NBA Draft. In the first round, the Grizzlies took a minor reach in former UCLA swingman Jordan Adams, but the advanced metrics (John Hollinger alert!) absolutely love his game, and he is a shooter that Memphis certainly needs. However, there are some very real athleticism concerns there, and when you consider their lack of burst on the wing as it is, that may be an issue.

Later in the night, the Grizzlies leveraged a 2016 first round pick to move up to take former Tennessee big man Jarnell Stokes, and that was a bold move that I enjoyed. Stokes was a highly productive player in Knoxville, and if not for the relatively high cost of a 2016 first round pick to move up, Memphis would have received even higher praise for making the move to add him to their talented frontcourt.

Grade: C+