If the Grizzlies have one primary need this offseason, beyond just the obvious “more talent,” it’s an upgrade at power forward, where the team currently employees two good back-ups in Darrell Arthur and Hakim Warrick. With the #2 pick in the draft, tons of cap space, and plenty of options available either in the draft, via free agency, or potentially via trade, if the Grizzlies open next season with Arthur or Warrick in the starting lineup then this offseason will have been a failure.
Here’s a list of my Top 20 candidates to be the Grizzlies’ new starting power forward next season, ranked in order of preference — not likelihood.
A pre-emptive note: There are a few obvious names I left off either because I find their acquisition wildly unlikely (Chris Bosh, Lamarcus Aldridge) or because neither I nor — I suspect — the team would be interested (Antawn Jamison, Shawn Marion).
The List:
1. Blake Griffin
Rebounding/Physicality: Moderate-to-High. Griffin was a monster rebounder in college and is a beast physically, so he projects as a big-time pro rebounder as well. Defensively, he should be strong enough to hold his own on the block, but his average height and wingspan suggests he’s unlikely to develop into a defensive force.
Impact Potential: High. Griffin projects as a scoring and rebounding machine as his game develops and is a tough-nosed kid. He’d be a great fit for the Grizzlies, obviously.
Availability: Low. There have been no signs so far that the Clippers are interested in dealing out of the #1 pick, but until draft night comes and goes, I’m not ruling it out.
