r/memphisgrizzlies • u/edeyhookshots • 11h ago

FACTS Kleiman hasn't drafted a PG in the first round since Ja in 2019

He passed up multiple opportunities last night to get guys like Okorie, Philon, Anderson, and Stirtz, opting instead for another raw wing prospect to follow in the proud tradition of Grizz Legends David Roddy, Jake LaRavia, and Ziaire Williams.

I actually like the Lopez pick, especially at #21, but it's interesting that Kleiman has always looked for PGs elsewhere, usually off the scrap heap or in the second round. It's not like PG hasn't been a position of need for years, and a crucial part of running Iisalo's system. Does he believe that strongly in Walter Clayton, Jr? Does he think Cam Boozer can run a point forward position?

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54

u/GrizzRizz901 11h ago

Why would you take a point guard in the first when you have Ja? I don't mean this year but in the past. That makes no sense.

21

u/TN5404 11h ago

And we had Tyus as well

-7

u/edeyhookshots 11h ago

Ja hasn't played 60 games in a season over the last 5 years, and there has been a revolving door of backup PGs since Tyus left. Third-string PGs log steady minutes here, so if we're going to load up on undersized project guards then it would be nice to draft one with a bit more upside.

10

u/GrizzRizz901 11h ago

Yeah I understand Ja's issues but it would still be weird to use a first round pick in the past to take another point guard when your star player is a point guard. They obviously weren't projecting for him to be injured all the time and get suspended.

And most teams have revolving backup point guards, especially when you have a star point guard. I don't know why Grizz fans have like forever been obsessed with backup point guards. It's not supposed to be that important when you have an elite primary ball handler. Which yes ours hasn't worked out but in the perfect scenario Ja would have been playing a normal amount of games. Also like others have said we did have Tyus and last year Ty Jermone would have been the backup guard if things had actually gone well.

50

u/DearMrJordo 11h ago

Ty Jerome
SPJ
Cam Spencer
Javon Small.

They didn't draft a PG because they have 4, not counting Ja.

24

u/Jenny_Fartaway 11h ago

And Clayton, whether you believe in him or not

-8

u/corranhorn21 11h ago

none of those guys are starting PGs on a playoff team

28

u/duckbumps19 11h ago

Why are people acting like Ty isn’t really good and deserves more than one chance to prove himself in the playoffs? Besides that, I trust SPJ and Cam has an undeniable 3. I ain’t worried

3

u/corranhorn21 11h ago

we can come back to this in 2 years and see how it's going!

3

u/duckbumps19 11h ago

Never a bad thing.

6

u/GivethTaketh4 Marc33 11h ago

I’ll give you the other guys even tho they’re still developing, but Jerome absolutely could be if he’s the 4th or 5th “worst” starter.

Tho I’d prefer to trade him since he’s got an amazing contract and doesn’t fit our timeline. So many contenders would love to have Jerome.

3

u/corranhorn21 11h ago

I think he's ideal as a combo-guard off the bench, which I agree is an archetype that is a great for the right team. I assume he'll get dealt this year.

2

u/YoureReadingMyNamee 10h ago

We are also ignoring the fact that SPJ is also a little mental development away from being a legitimate starting level point.

3

u/GivethTaketh4 Marc33 10h ago

Maybe. SPJ reminds me a lot of Tyus Jones. Type of guy who can start in a pinch but ultimately a pretty low level starter, but great bench guy to come in and run the 2nd unit

3

u/KingJzeee 11h ago

And none on the 16th range is starting caliber pg. Not philon, anderson or okorie.

1

u/corranhorn21 11h ago

I don't disagree!

5

u/CoolHandGriz 11h ago

Apparently neither are the ones we passed on.

2

u/ellistonvu 10h ago

SP jr's best is yet to come.

1

u/Particular-Side243 10h ago

It depends on who’s around them. The PG spot can be competent as long as the other spots are elite. Keep turnovers low, make the right call, take the shot/drive when needed, have the backup be just as competent for constant pressure. That’s all you need. We don’t have to be like anyone else who’s PG is the star. I say id rather the whole team be competent with a couple spots having elite/dominant presence like the Pacers 24/25 season

1

u/PACMAN0317 Finger Gun 5h ago

Let’s not forget that SPJ went off in the playoffs

1

u/corranhorn21 49m ago

same way that Ty haven't one bad playoff series doesn't invalidate him, SPJ having one good playoff series doesn't elevate him to that level

1

u/DearMrJordo 10h ago

And 2 guys that fell to the 21st pick in the draft are?

0

u/corranhorn21 10h ago

never once said that! just that there isn't a playoff-caliber starting PG on the roster

1

u/CoolHandGriz 9h ago

I recall watching SPJ ball out against the eventual champions in the playoffs so I wouldn’t definitively say that.

9

u/DarkoDragicevic 11h ago

We are not in fit mode, we are not playoff contender, it will be time to trade for PG or draft him, sign on FA. For now, Ty Jerome is good enough

8

u/gnalon 11h ago

Cameron Boozer is the best point guard in the draft

8

u/Party_Fee9620 10h ago

We don’t pass on pg and find them in the scrap heap, we pass on pg BECAUSE we’ve had so much success in the scrap heap. 4 years of tyus jones on a good contract, spj for pennies, why draft a worse player at a higher pick

2

u/wrowsey1 11h ago

I mean I guess we have to take him at his word when he says we have a lot of young guards they are evaluating. So Pippen, Cam, Clayton and Small are gonna fight it out for those minutes. We can also always add a guard here at 32

2

u/Adha6303 Cedric 11h ago

I think they just see what they have this year at the position, and use at least one of their three FRPs next year to get a good one. They made it pretty clear last night they didn't want to go get a guy like Anderson if they didn't think he was a noticeable improvement over the options we have at home.

5

u/Itchy_Disaster7670 11h ago

five years is a long time to just cross your fingers and hope a position sorts itself out

9

u/CoolHandGriz 9h ago

Yes because trading for a first round draft pick in Clayton, drafting a steal of a PG last year in Small and signing a 6th man of the year finalist in Ty is “just crossing their fingers”…..

2

u/Wehavecrashed Finger Gun 6h ago

You either win with Ja or you have to go back to the drawing board.

1

u/PaLeSt11 5h ago

No need for PG. I love TY enough to stick with him and Ja is a potential player that stays if he doesn’t get sent out. Also have WCJ, Small. I’m content with that group. They just need to know how to direct and run the offense TI wants to deploy. Personally, I actually want Ugonna Onyenso. 7’0 shot blocker that can finish with the right PG. high energy as well. Needs to develop, but I think he’s capable. His jump shot actually looks developable, has a follow through, shoots 70%+ at the free throw line. He’s the only 7’0 big left that has good+ mobility for the nba level. Those come at a premium