Report: Grizzlies targeting Josh Giddey after acquiring 10th pick
On Monday, the Memphis Grizzlies reportedly agreed to trade Jonas Valanciunas and the 17th overall pick in the NBA draft to the New Orleans Pelicans, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
The Pelicans will send Steven Adams, Eric Bledsoe, the 10th overall pick and a protected 2022 first-round pick to the Grizzlies. The two teams also agreed to swap second-round picks this year, with the Pelicans acquiring the 40th pick and the Grizzlies getting the 51st pick.
The trade between the two teams has been discussed extensively in recent days and it was finally agreed upon on Monday. With the move, the Grizzlies move up from 17 into the lottery and they appear to already have a target in mind.
According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, the Grizzlies are believed to be targeting Josh Giddey of the National Basketball League with the 10th overall pick. Memphis has been high on Giddey for quite some time now and could draft him following the trade.
This trade has been swirling for a few days in different iterations as we reported yesterday. Many around the NBA believe Memphis will look to target Josh Giddey at No. 10, if he's available. That's one of the reasons we put him in that slot yesterday: https://t.co/VEdy8p5uV6 https://t.co/iVuJhUwwEb
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) July 26, 2021
Giddey recently finished up a stint with the Australian basketball team during their exhibition games in Las Vegas and apparently left an impression. He produced 14 points, four rebounds, three assists and one blocked shot versus Nigeria in his lone appearance with the Boomers.
The 6-foot-8 guard, who was named the NBL Rookie of the Year, produced a sensational season with the 36ers, averaging 10.9 points, 7.6 assists, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals in 28 games with the Adelaide 36ers. He led all players in assists while he finished sixth in rebounding.
He was the youngest Australian in the NBL to register a triple-double.
Giddey has drawn comparisons to fellow Australian Ben Simmons with his ability to lead and get others involved, something the Grizzlies would like to add next to Ja Morant. He is arguably the best passer in the draft this year and would give the Grizzlies another playmaker.
The 18-year-old was previously linked heavily to the San Antonio Spurs with the 12th pick, but appears to have improved his stock after his performance with Australia. He certainly made an impression on teams, and the Grizzlies may get him after making a move on Monday.
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