It is too early to say if the Memphis Grizzlies’ draft was great. On paper, it looks very good. They were able to address two major areas of weakness.
The first was solving the center position. Zach Edey was selected with the ninth pick. Despite only discovering the game about seven years ago, he improved his game every year when he was at Purdue.
Memphis selected Jaylen Wells with the 38th pick in the second round of the NBA Draft. Wells is a six-foot-six junior guard from the University of Washington. He is a native of Sacramento, CA. He played two seasons at Sonoma State, where he was named CCAA Player of the Year as a sophomore.
On being selected, Wells said, “It was a feeling of being blessed. I am not a person that shows a lot of emotions. I did not show a lot of emotions when I got drafted, but I had a lot going through my mind. I am excited to be here.”
Wells, as a junior with Sonoma State, averaged 12.6 points and 4.6 rebounds. He shot 51.7 percent from three-point range, guiding the Cougars to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008.
Cam Spencer was selected with the 53rd pick after a trade with the Detroit Pistons. Spencer started all games for the Connecticut Huskies and won the National Championship last season. He averaged 14.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, shot 44 percent from three-point range, and 91 percent from the free throw line. Spencer is a 6’3” shooting guard who played with Santi Aldama in his freshman season at Loyola.
Reacting to being selected, Spencer said, “It was a special moment for me and my family. It took a lot of hard work to get to this point. I am super thankful for the opportunity the organization gave me.”
The selection of Edey, if successful, will fill many holes in the Grizzlies’ offense. He will be able to set great ball screens for Ja Morant, protect Jaren Jackson Jr. from getting in foul trouble, help on the offensive rebounds, and attract a lot of attention in the half-court game. This will open up opportunities for everyone on the floor.
On the selection, Edey said, “They played their cards well. I had no idea they were selecting me. They were the only team that believed in me my sophomore year.” On playing with a chip on his shoulder, he said, “Being an underdog gives you motivation. They keep trying to tell you who you are, like they know me. It just adds fuel to the fire.”
On the defensive end, Edey will be a force as the ultimate rim protector. He can reduce second-chance points for the opposition and has good vision to start the transition offense for the Grizzlies.
The addition of Spencer and Wells will add to the shooting most NBA teams are looking for. It was announced that the Grizzlies will not pick up the contract option of Luke Kennard. To start the NBA Draft, Memphis had three open roster spots. Kennard and Memphis can enter into contract negotiations with all free agents starting on Sunday, June 30, at 5 p.m.
It is not out of the question for Kennard to return to Memphis. Spencer and Wells are expected to play on the summer league rosters both in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas this year. Edey’s status is still up in the air because he received an invitation to the Canadian National basketball team tryouts.
