Memphis Grizzlies Draft Prediction: Odds Backing Josh Giddey at No. 10
By Peter Dewey
The Memphis Grizzlies have thrust themselves into the conversation in the lottery of the 2021 NBA Draft after making a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday.
Memphis acquired the No. 10 overall pick in a deal that sent Jonas Valanciunas to New Orleans. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi first reported the full terms of the deal.
BREAKING: Memphis is finalizing a trade to send Jonas Valanciunas and 2021 Nos. 17 and 51 picks to New Orleans for Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, 2021 picks Nos. 10 and 40 and a protected 2022 first-round pick via the Lakers, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 26, 2021
The Pelicans got the benefit of shedding Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe’s salaries, but it came at the cost of their top 10 pick. With Memphis now in the top 10, they add some intrigue to the early part of the first round.
One player that Memphis has been rumored to have interest in is Josh Giddey who played in Australia's NBL last season. WynnBET currently has Giddey’s projected draft position at 10.5 with the under (-180) heavily favored to the over (+145). That puts him right in the range for Memphis at No. 10.
This trade has been swirling for a few days in different iterations as we reported yesterday. Many around the NBA believe Memphis will look to target Josh Giddey at No. 10, if he's available. That's one of the reasons we put him in that slot yesterday: https://t.co/VEdy8p5uV6 https://t.co/iVuJhUwwEb
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) July 26, 2021
Giddey has guard skills at 6-8 and was named the NBL Rookie of the Year during the 2020-21 season. He’s been compared to Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons and is widely regarded as one of the draft’s best passers after averaging 7.5 assists per game last season.
While he still needs to improve as a shooter (almost a given when you’re compared to Ben Simmons), Giddey averaged 10.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game in the NBL while shooting 42.7 percent from the field and 29.3 percent from 3-point range.
The Grizzlies could use another playmaker in their offense with do-it-all wing Kyle Anderson entering the final year of his deal. While Ja Morant is the team’s primary playmaker, the Grizzlies could give teams a different look with the bigger Giddey playing on the ball next season and try to maximize some of their other players’ scoring potential.
The fact that Memphis moved up to No. 10 and is this linked to Giddey almost makes him a lock to land there as long as there isn’t a team ahead of the Grizzlies with their eyes on the NBL star.
However, WynnBET’s draft projection makes it pretty cut and dry for bettors. It’s unlikely Giddey falls past the Memphis selection, so laying the -180 juice on his draft projection seems like the way to considering his odds may only strengthen as a top 10 pick as the draft approaches.
Where do you think Giddey lands? Download the WynnBET app in New Jersey, Indiana or Colorado and to make your bet.