Groupthink 2024 Mock Draft: Pick #9

[Ed O]

Who do you think Memphis should take? Try to be a fan or the GM for the team, rather than who you want to have them take based on your Blazers fandom.

Tomorrow morning I'll set up another poll with the results factored in .

1. Atlanta: Alex Sarr, France
2. Washington: Zacharie Risacher, France
3. Houston: Reed Sheppard, Kentucky
4. San Antonio: Stephon Castle, UConn
5. Detroit: Matas Buzelis, G-League
6. Charlotte: Donovan Clingan, UConn
7. Portland: Tidjan Salaun, France
8. San Antonio, Nikola Topic, Serbia
9. Memphis
10. Utah
11. Chicago
12. Oklahoma City
13. Sacramento
14. Portland

 

[Ed O]

I went with Knecht. Why?

• I expect Memphis to try to win, rather than do a rebuild, and with at least two established young stars they don't need to just go on upside (so no need to gamble on Holland).
• With Morant in place, Dillingham and (to a lesser extent) Carter don't fit well.
• Knecht brings a more polished game than Cody Williams and his lack of length is less important on a team with good size already.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

If Memphis actually makes a pick, I think they'd want a win-now player. Of those listed, Knecht and Edey fit that description. Knecht would probably fit seamlessly in their roster, but I could also see them thinking that Edey and JJJ would work well in the front-court together. I'm voting Knecht, but Edey would make a lot of sense.

 

[Pritchslap Madness]

Knecht makes sense to me. Plus he stays in-state which is a nice win-win for Tennessee fans!

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I don't understand how Edey is getting votes or listed... he's ranked #31 on nbadraft.net

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I don't understand how Edey is getting votes or listed... he's ranked #31 on nbadraft.net

I don't understand why you're looking at nbadraft.net.

 

[Ed O]

I don't understand how Edey is getting votes or listed... he's ranked #31 on nbadraft.net

I don't know why he's getting votes (I didn't vote for him) but I put him as an option because he is the biggest guy in the draft and was the best player in college basketball (for at least one year, maybe two).

I don't think pointing to a single source is a reason to not list him. The Ringer has him going at #12, he was invited to sit in the green room (one of 21 guys invited, and the only one to decline) and he's considered a top-20 guy by most of the places I've seen. If a voter wants size or if he wants college production, then Edey is the guy.

That's my thinking.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Memphis needs a center so I can see why Edey would get some votes.
I can also see why Knecht would get some votes, but if Smart and Bane (and his 6'4" wing span) are their SGs I think they need a longer SF who can shoot. So I selected Williams.

 

[Kell]

Feel like Edey would be their choice.

 

[HansenYang]

I don't understand how Edey is getting votes or listed... he's ranked #31 on nbadraft.net

Hes the best player left in the board here that fits their needs

 

[Glazeduck2]

Memphis needs a center BADLY. If Clingan does fall to us at 7, it'd be interesting to see what they'd be willing to give up to move back 2 spots, given at least my perceived delta between him and Edey (I think it's fairly massive). I could see how a lot of the positive Edey press could be coming from Memphis' camp in hopes that it diluted Clingan's stock a hair...

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

Ware could have been included as a reach pick given their big man needs.
They’re a win-now team, so Knecht is the best option, IMHO.

 

[Whyachi]

the Grizzles need work. They were so bad without their starters, the tank Blazers rolled them in b2b games.

I'd go super dunker next to Ja, get Memphis back in the highlight reels.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Ware could have been included as a reach pick given their big man needs.
They’re a win-now team, so Knecht is the best option, IMHO.

Yeah, Ware makes way more sense than Edey. He could fit right into their offense/defense schemes.