NBA Draft 2019: 5 targets for the Memphis Grizzlies
2. Darius Garland, PG, Vanderbilt
Garland only played five games at Vanderbilt, due to a torn meniscus in his left knee, but he is a highly touted draft prospect with the potential to go in the top-five.
Garland was in Chicago for the draft combine, but he abruptly left the event amid speculation he has a promise from a lottery team.
Top prospect Darius Garland has left the NBA Draft Combine, fueling belief among some teams that he could have a promise in lottery, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 15, 2019
If he has a promise to be taken in the lottery, the Los Angeles Lakers at No. 4, the Phoenix Suns at No. 6 and the Chicago Bulls at No. 7 are easily atop the list of possibilities. The Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 11 would be hoping Garland falls, so a promise from them wouldn’t carry any weight.
The Grizzlies are another possibility to have made a promise to Garland. But they wouldn’t be getting the best player available at No. 2 if they take him, and passing on a better player would be getting cute simply for the sake of getting cute. But if Memphis trades down, for whatever reason they might move off their top target so easily, Garland would become an option.