#25 Memphis Grizzlies: Jarell Martin

With the 25th pick in the draft, the Memphis Grizzlies selected forward Jarell Martin out of LSU. In Martin, the Grizzlies pick up a player that has good size for a forward at 6’10 and 235 pounds.

Martin began the draft process projected to go late in the second round and eventually found himself slotted to go late in the first round or early in the second round before the Grizzlies picked him at 25. He worked out well throughout the pre-draft process and earned his way to a first-round selection. He was even said to have started to gain interest from teams that could look to trade down in the first round in order to take him, but the Grizzlies ultimately drafted him.

Martin averaged 16.9 points and 9.2 rebounds last season during his sophomore year and earned a spot on the All-SEC First Team. He shot nearly 27 percent from three-point range and converted on 55 percent on two-point shots. He’s a big man that has proven to consistently hit the mid-range shots, which should fit well into what Memphis does. He can also put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket or face up and shoot a jumper.

The Grizzlies came into the draft as a team with just one pick and opted to use it on Martin. They stated prior to the draft that they were going to be after the best player available, rather than draft based off of need. There was some thought that they could seek to improve upon their three-point shooting after they ranked 22nd in the league last season while shooting 34 percent. The decision to add another big man to the roster could be as an alternative option should the team prove unable to re-sign Kosta Koufos. He could be seeking more money than the team is willing to pay and is reportedly interested in a starting role.

Martin will have his work cut out on the defensive end of the floor, but should see improvement after putting in more work in the gym with NBA trainers.