WRG 2012 Mock Draft - #25 Memphis Grizzlies

If we were drafting strictly by need, we'd be looking for a backup PG at this pick, but we aren't drafting by need and aren't going to reach for a player just to fill a slot.

We could use perimeter shooting, but we don't want to just take a one dimensional player who can't do anything but shoot. Like we said, we aren't going to reach in order just to fill a need.

Instead, we see a player whose hard nosed attitude and tough defense fits into our team philosophy. A player who can defend multiple positions, but is still very competent as a spot up shooter and might even be able to help us with that problem.

With the 25th pick, the Memphis Grizzlies select Jeff Taylor, SF, Vanderbilt

Ride em cowboy!

Jeff Taylor's style of play fits in perfectly with how our team plays. He's a physical player who is very strong and willing to get dirty on the defensive end. He's made strides as a shooter and we hope he can help us by stretching the defense at times and draining some long range daggers.  His potential is very high, and we are very high on his chance to thrive in our system.

WRG 2011 Mock Draft - #25 Boston Celtics

The reality of our situation is this - we have six players on our roster and we are over the cap.

That isn't a bad thing, of course.  We won a championship and were an elite team for several years, and that comes with a price tag under the current CBA.

Plus, our core is still capable of competing at a high level and may even be able to make noise in the playoffs with health and a little luck.

However, that won't happen if we don't add players that allow us to carefully monitor our starters' minutes and keep us in games while they rest.

So this pick is very important for us.  The player we add has to be an instant contributor.  No projects, no risks.

Position isn't a concern, since even if the new CBA allows us to sign our free agents we have a need at every spot.

That said, we were kind of resigned to taking one of several versatile combo forwards that we think are the strength of this draft.  In fact a few we thought would be gone by now have fallen.  But we see an opportunity here to take a guard who can do a lot for us and we never thought would make it to our pick.

Marshon Brooks is a pure scorer with a big body who we feel can play immediately.  He can take on a lot of the scoring load (something we don't think any other player available could) while we sit our aging stars longer and longer to keep them fresh and healthy.

And if we do that, we think we can extend the season well into June.

Remember when Kobe ate his finger? I can do that, too!

WRG 2010 Mock Draft - #25 Memphis Grizzlies

Our second of three first round picks. We are disappointed that the Hawks snagged Eric Bledsoe in front of us. We might as well tell you right now that we aren't thrilled with Mike Conley.

There aren't many point guards in this draft, and we feel like we can still grab one of the next tier combo guards with our next pick, so we are gonna go with who we feel is the best player still available and a guy with a lot of potential in Larry Sanders.

Sanders gives us a big man who can run the floor, which is something we don't have. Thabeet, Gasol & Randolph are all plodding big men, and we think Sanders can develop into a terrific player and not just an athlete. Sanders and Thabeet in the same lineup? Try not to get swatted.

We didn't just draft Larry...we drafted his whole posse.

WRG Mock Draft #25: Oklahoma City Thunder

We addressed our inside needs already with Hasheem Thabeet.

We still have one other major need. Someone who can shoot and spread the ball from the shooting guard position. We want someone who can spread the ball and stroke it from downtown, while being unselfish enough to play within our system. This shooter can open up the floor for Kevin Durant, as well as Russell Westbrook's driving skills. Thabo Sefolosha is defensively minded, and Desmond Mason is a free agent, so this need is fairly obvious and simple.

With the 25th pick, the Oklahoma City Thunder select:

Hands off! Only I can stroke it!

Wayne Ellington, SG, UNC

This pick was very easy for us. He's arguably one of the best shooters in the draft (after Stephen Curry, maybe) and played on a championship team, where he didn't let his ego get the best of him and played within the team concept. We like this and know that Wayne can open up the floor for our other scorers, while not complaining about touches.

The Bulls are on the clock.