NBA Draft 2020: 5 teams who most needs a Small Forward/Wing player

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies absolutely killed it during last year’s draft, selecting the league’s recently crowned rookie of the year, Ja Morant, with the second overall pick. But although the team seems off to an excellent start following their decision to trade away Mike Conley and Marc Gasol to embrace a rebuild last year, significant work still remains undone.

Josh Jackson unfortunately feels like a bust at this point, still unable to find proper footing as an NBA player, and Kyle Anderson who seized the starting small forward spot from him halfway through the season only averaged 5.2 points per game while doing so. That certainly leaves a lot left desired for the Grizzlies along the wing, even with Dillion Brooks managing to play up to par at shooting guard, averaging 16.2 points per game.

But unfortunately for the Grizzlies, they traded their first-round pick to the Boston Celtics five years ago, completing an easily forgotten deal that landed the team Jeff Green. Instead the team’s only pick this year comes at 40th overall, extending Okoro, Edwards, Vassell, and company entirely beyond their reach. But despite this setback, expect the Grizzlies still to try and address this massive team needs with their second-rounder.

Former Louisville Cardinal Jordan Nwora remains a fine second-round target for the Grizzlies, averaging 18.0 points and 7.7 rebounds per game last year, while also shooting over 40% from three-point range. Staying within the ACC, Elijah Hughes who served as Syracuse’s go-to offensive threat last season possesses some solid NBA upside as well.

Other notable players floating around the porous barrier separating the first and second round include Tyler Bey, Jaden McDaniels, Desmond Bane, and Lamine Diane, so make sure to remember these names as well.