Memphis Grizzlies: 2017 NBA Draft Grades
The Grizzlies have had a hard time adding depth to an aging team. Can Rabb and Brooks make a difference?
In the 2017 draft, the Memphis Grizzlies didn’t have any picks. However, their expensive and older roster necessitated that they get some young talent in the pipeline. They used a 2019 second from the Brooklyn Nets and their own 2018 second-round pick to move into the draft and take two prospects that could help shore up a forward rotation that’s rapidly aging out of service.
Ivan Rabb (35th pick) / Power Forward / California
Grade: B
Stats: 14 points, 10.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1 block, .7 steals
Analysis: Rabb opted to stay in college for an extra year to improve his draft stock, and in the process actually lowered it a little. On higher usage, he posted worse shooting percentages than he had the year before.
It’s hard to tell how much was just Rabb and how much was California’s antiquated offense, but it caused Rabb to fall to the second round. He’s a mobile, rangy big man with the capability to switch defensively the way a lot of teams like in the modern NBA. His instincts are good, but his fundamentals aren’t as solid as they should be on that end of the floor.
Offensively most of his touches were in the post in the incredibly slow Cal offense. He was capable, showing decent footwork, but his lack of strength was a problem, as when he tried to create space it was much harder for him. At the next level he’ll have to add both strength and bulk to be able to make a serious contribution.
His jump shot is a work in progress, and he’ll need to work on that to be a solid NBA power forward. The fundamentals are there, but there’s a hitch in his shot that keeps him from hitting consistently, and that needs to be worked out. Rabb is already an excellent rebounder, though, and that skill should translate immediately to the NBA.
Fit:
If Rabb reaches his potential, he could be the modern NBA darling: a fast, fluid forward who can switch seamlessly between frontcourt spots on both offense and defense while punishing smaller players in the post and bigger players off the bounce and outside the arc. This ideal version of Rabb is a perfect fit for the Grizzlies, especially next to Spanish savant Marc Gasol. But it will take some work, and the route to get there lies through the practice facility and the weight room.
Dillon Brooks (45th pick) / Small Forward / Oregon
Grade: B
Stats: 16 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 1.1 steals, 40.4 perimeter efficiency percent
Analysis: Dillon Brooks was a versatile, capable isolation scorer for an Oregon offense that needed his juice. He’s resourceful and capable of playing both forward positions, though athletically limited. With size, strength and touch, he was able to get to the rim when needed.
Brooks was particularly able in the mid-post, where he could rise up and hit jumpers over forwards who couldn’t compete with his size. At the NBA level, he’ll have to work harder against the more physically gifted and mature men he’ll be playing against.
His shot has improved dramatically from outside the arc, but to really stick in the NBA it’s going to have to keep improving. Outside scoring is more important than ever, and Brooks needs to prove he can do it, particularly in a catch and shoot role.
In college, he spent a decent amount of time with the ball in his hands running isolations, sometimes pounding the dribble far longer than he’ll have the freedom to do coming in as a rookie under development. How he adjusts to the smaller role will determine how well he sticks with the Grizzlies.
Fit:
The Grizzlies have had a revolving door at small forward over the years even as the rest of their starters have generally stayed the same, going from mediocre forward to mediocre forward. If Brooks develops, his scoring could give them an added dimension on offense, similar to what Chandler Parsons was supposed to provide. Parsons is a good target for Brooks to aspire to (minus the Swiss cheese knees).
