NBA Mock Draft 5.0: Final first-round predictions before the draft

NBA Mock Draft 10th Pick: Memphis Grizzlies (via NOLA) – Corey Kispert

The Memphis Grizzlies badly need shooting around Ja Morant, especially with the team ranking in bottom-10 in three-pointers made, attempted and accuracy from deep. After trading with the New Orleans Pelicans to move up in the draft, they can afford to with fit over upside here, especially with the team already loaded in almost all positions.

Despite Kyle Anderson’s growth as an outside shooter, Memphis only has Dillon Brooks as a designated shooter whom opponents cannot exploit on defense. Grayson Allen is fine, but he’s best suited as a bench sniper. The same goes for De’Anthony Melton, whose three-point game lacks the volume to scare defenses enough.

Corey Kispert is the embodiment of what the Grizzlies need in the draft. An elite shooter in college, his acumen from downtown and even beyond that should easily translate in the NBA, especially with his mature understanding of spacing and off-ball movement. His improvement as a cutter and as a team defender should be welcome additives in addition to his shooting niche.