MEMPHIS – It’s hardly an ideal situation, but Chris Wallace admits the Grizzlies are far from idle.
For now, the longtime Memphis general manager and his front-office staff will head into Thursday’s NBA Draft without a selection among the 60 that will be made over the course of two rounds in New York. It’s the first time the Grizzlies have been without either a first or second-round pick in franchise history.
Still, the work continues in the days leading to draft night.
“Look, I’ve got a little Mel Kiper blood in me – I love the draft,” Wallace joked Monday in comparing his passion to that of ESPN’s renowned NFL Draft analyst. “I wouldn’t mind having all 60 picks. But you have to be reasonable. You can’t get caught up in the thrill of the chase, jump in the draft and expend assets for the sake of getting in. But we’re preparing as if we can show up anywhere in the draft Thursday.”
In other words, just because the Grizzlies are on the outside of the draft looking in right now, that doesn’t mean they’ll maintain that position when teams are on the clock Thursday. Over the course of a 20-minute meeting with the media Monday at the Grizzlies’ Built Ford Tough Training Facility, Wallace offered perspective on the team’s mindset entering the draft, addressed questions about a potentially pivotal free agency process in July and also discussed Chandler Parsons’ progress from knee surgery.
Wallace on pre-draft workouts in Memphis …
Wallace on his message to Memphis’ potential draft prospects …
Wallace on possibly trading future picks to acquire a draft pick Thursday …
Wallace on the looming free agency of Zach Randolph, Tony Allen, JaMychal Green and Vince Carter …
Wallace on how active teams might be on draft night …
Wallace on preparing for trade calls and reaching out to other teams …
Wallace on assembling Memphis’ roster for the Las Vegas Summer League in July …
Wallace on Rade Zagorac’s development …
Wallace on being encouraged by Parsons’ offseason progress from knee rehab …
Chris Wallace’s pre-draft media availability
The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Memphis Grizzlies. All opinions expressed by Michael Wallace are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Memphis Grizzlies or its Basketball Operations staff, owners, parent companies, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Memphis Grizzlies and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.