2019 NBA Mock Draft: The lottery order is officially official
8. player. 211. . G. North Carolina. Coby White
This summer is pivotal for Memphis. As we see it now, here are the questions facing the Grizzlies between now and September training camp:
- How can they get max value for Mike Conley after suitors lost an extra half a season by missing out on him at the trade deadline?
- Is Delon Wright their point guard of the future or do they need to replace Conley in the draft?
- What type of frontcourt player will maximize Jaren Jackson Jr.?
That sums it up. The Grizzlies don’t need to worry about free agents like Avery Bradley, Justin Holiday or Joakim Noah. Their future is Jackson, Wright, the trade package for Conley and whoever they take with this pick. They still owe next year’s pick, top-five protected, to Boston.
Let’s assume they settle on Utah’s package centering around Grayson Allen and Dante Exum. Then, they re-sign Wright for four years, making him a long-term starter through his prime. There’s not a great answer next to Jackson in this range of the draft, so a solid assumption is they stick with Jonas Valanciunas at center.
White fits nicely into all of this. They can play through Valanciunas as the youngsters develop next season, allowing them time to remain relatively competitive while they sort through their young guards behind Wright.
Fortunately, White’s shooting, driving and playmaking ability particularly at a fast pace will make him playable at either guard spot next to a player like Wright or running the offense on his own.