Redrafting the 2019 NBA Draft: Injury concerns and flawed greatness

The Grizzlies’ depth (combined with the singularly bright spotlight on Ja Morant) can make it hard to appreciate the individual talent on display across the roster. Brandon Clarke doesn’t even crack 20 minutes per game but he is one of the NBA’s elite role players. Very much in the tradition of Cameron Johnson, he’s the kind of surefire contributor you can’t pass up in the lottery.

The 26-year-old Clarke’s journey to the NBA was long and winding. He played two years in the shadows at San Diego State before going to Gonzaga and completely reinventing his game for the nation’s top contender. Clarke is a master of small things: a deadly, dynamic rim-runner who fits neatly into his box offensively and absolutely obliterates defenses within that box.

Clarke has stopped taking 3s for the most part, instead focusing his efforts on attacking the painted area. At 6-foot-8, Clarke is undersized for the traditional rim-running role. But he jumps out of the building, possessing elite maneuverability when faced with multiple bodies in the paint. He can go over the top and play above the rim, or he can lean on his floater. He has feather-soft touch and the polished footwork necessary to carve out space on the move.

He also makes things happen on the defensive end. Clarke’s pogo-stick leaping ability often translates to blocked shots or rebounds. He can generate whirlwinds of activity around the rim or in passing lanes. He can protect the rim as small-ball five, or switch out to the perimeter and guard the point of attack. His two-way flexibility and elite complementary skill set cement Clarke in the top 10.