MEMPHIS – Midway through a disappointing and injury-riddled season, the
Grizzlies shifted their focus to development for the immediate future.
As a result, the final months of a 22-60 finish were dedicated to fast-tracking
the growth and evaluation of rookies, second-year and third-year players on the
roster, with contract decisions looming on many of them within the next couple
of seasons.
While newcomers Dillon Brooks and Ivan Rabb appear to be steals from the second
round of last year’s draft, the jury remains out on prospects such as Deyonta
Davis and Wayne Selden. In either case, the Grizzlies missed the playoffs for
the first time in eight years and head toward the May 15 Draft Lottery assured
of no worse than a top-five pick in the June 21 NBA Draft.
The Grizzlies also have the second pick (No. 32 overall) in the second round and
the full midlevel exception in free agency to upgrade the roster, address needs
and chart a path back to the playoffs.
After starting Grind City Media’s ‘Offseason Outlook’ last week with my personal
analysis of the coaching situation and roster veterans, we continue this week
with a focus on young players the Grizzlies view as assets.
Player: Dillon Brooks, 22
Measurables: 6-6, 220 – 1st NBA Season
2017-18 Stats: 11.0ppg, 3.1rpg, 1.6apg in 28.7mpg, shot 44.0% overall from the
field.
Status: Due $1.3 million for 2018-19 salary in second season of a three-year
deal.
Only NBA rookie this season to play all 82 regular-season games, and posted
second-highest rookie single-game point total in franchise history with 36
points in the season finale at Oklahoma City.
Dillon Brooks is the definition of upside. His emergence – aside from the
guarantee of a top-five lottery pick – is the most rewarding takeaway from an
otherwise dreadful season. To go from being the 45th overall pick in last June’s
draft to becoming the only rookie to play in all 82 games, including 74 starts,
speaks to the durability, determination and defiance the Canadian swingman
displayed all season. Brooks took on every challenge, from reshaping his body
into top condition to embracing the toughest defensive assignments every night.
His confidence is as high as his upside. When the team needed him to become a
go-to scorer late in a lost season, Brooks delivered a 20-point quarter in
Chicago, then saved his best for last in that 36-point outburst in the season
finale against the Thunder.
Brash confidence is Brooks’ strong suit. He also became a volume shooter and
scorer well after Mike Conley was lost for the season in November, and after
Tyreke Evans was sidelined the final months. The biggest question is how does
Brooks fit back into the Grizzlies’ preferred structure and pecking order when
everyone is healthy next season? To be a more complete and potentially elite
wing, Brooks must improve as a facilitator when defenders close out. His 135
assists were only fifth-most on the team. His percentages must also rise from
what he shot from the field overall (44%) and on threes (35.6%), considering his
level of aggression. Defensively, the 79 steals were solid but the team-high 233
fouls committed were too many and frequently the result of limited respect
afforded a rookie defender.
The Grizzlies have found their small forward or shooting guard of the present
and future, and it didn’t require a first-round pick or high salary. Brooks has
moved ahead of Selden, Andrew Harrison, Ben McLemore and Chandler Parsons in the
pipeline on the wing. He’s far from a finished product, and probably should be
on the Summer League roster again (although not required to play in games),
strictly for a leadership role in workouts. Enduring the fire and frustration
from the season, Brooks earned Marc Gasol’s on-court trust and Conley’s respect
for the way he applied tips from vets. Brooks is right. He would’ve been a late
lottery pick if the 2017 draft was redone today. He needs to maintain that chip
on his shoulder, with the team’s expectations and the NBA’s attention set to
increase.
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.
Player: Dillon Brooks
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outlook-dillon-brooks-180423
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