#8. Memphis Grizzlies – Sekou Doumbouya
At this pre-draft lottery juncture, the Memphis Grizzlies have a 42 percent chance to translate this pick to the Boston Celtics at 9th overall, since the pick is protected through picks 1-8. If the pick were to convey, it would be Boston’s first (out of four) first round selection in the 2019 NBA Draft. In a watered-down 2019 NBA Draft, the Grizz hope this pick conveys this year as the protections diminish as the years go on.
Though there’s no telling what trades will take place surrounding the team’s various draft assets (cough cough Anthony Davis cough cough), as we speak, we must assume that the Celtics will indeed use all of this picks (they won’t), and some – if not all of them – will be more exploratory selections because they are already a good team with a playoff pedigree.
With the 8th overall pick, the Grizzlies should be willing to take a chance on 18-year-old Sekou Doumbouya. Since this pick is the closest thing to a toss-up on the board, the Grizzlies should look to add a high-upside, exceedingly young player in the lottery to grow alongside Jaren Jackson Jr.
Doumbouya will likely be the youngest player in his draft class, and he also has the benefit of playing professionally already in France for pro team Limoges CSP. Born in the African country of Guinea, Doumbouya has great size and speed as a wing.
The Grizzlies, who will likely trade Mike Conley this offseason, will be forced into a rebuild when that happens, so they have the luxury of selecting players that might not be ready for a few years. In that case, a high-upside pick like Doumbouya makes perfect sense for them in the Top 10.