Analysis: Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace can change iffy draft record with 2018 pick

When the Grizzlies reinstalled Chris Wallace as general manager in July 2014, there was a highly held view from critics that the franchise embraced the status quo.

Wallace spent one season on the sideline and watched former agent and NBA executive Jason Levien run the Grizzlies. That is, until controlling owner Robert Pera abruptly gave Levien his walking papers.

Wallace proved yet again that he has staying power, which is why colleagues in NBA circles calls him a survivor. Now, the hope is that Wallace’s more than 20 years of experience give him psychic powers.

The Grizzlies are just days away from participating in the NBA draft with the No. 4 and No. 32 overall picks at their disposal.

Wallace loves the draft.

“It’s your shot a talent,” he says.

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But there’s a recent trend of clear misses on first-round picks such as Tony Wroten, Jordan Adams and Wade Baldwin. And it took Jarell Martin three years to get healthy and earn playing time.

Wallace, though, redeemed himself in 2017. The Grizzlies didn’t own a first-round pick but selected Ivan Rabb and Dillon Brooks in the second round. Brooks, the No. 45 pick, was the only player to appear in all 82 games for a Grizzlies squad that finished 22-60.

There are high expectations for Wallace to oversee Thursday’s draft in which the Grizzlies come away with above-average talent. The Grizzlies’ selection of Hasheem Thabeet at No. 2 in 2009 remains a stain on Wallace’s résumé.

Wallace, though, doesn’t buy into the pressure.  

“I’m not going to take sole credit for this, but the front office teams I’ve presided over won the most ever games in the history of this franchise,” Wallace said. “We were seven straight years in the playoffs. We also brought in four of what I call the extended Mount  Rushmore or six most important players in of the franchise. One year out of the playoffs doesn’t necessarily mean we’re out of touch and no longer capable of doing the job.”

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Wallace originally joined the Grizzlies in June 2007.

He helped build the core four of Mike Conley, Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, and engineer a seven-year playoff run. Only Conley was drafted by the Grizzlies.

Wallace hasn’t ruled out trading the No. 4 pick, or moving down in the draft to acquire more than one first-rounder. His philosophy is to take the best talent available.

Wallace isn’t a believer in drafting based on perceived need.

The only real need for Wallace is arguably this: to get the pick right, meaning grab a player who could contribute to the franchise for as long as Conley has. An argument for need is grab a player who can shoot and provide immediate help on the wing if the Grizzlies expect to return to playoffs.

“We are optimistic about next year. We have the No. 4 pick or whatever that brings you on the trade route,” Wallace said. “We have a lot of options. We’ll have the mid-level exception. We’re going to be good next year. It’s rare to have a team that’s been in the playoffs for seven straight years, still have their key players coming back and several more years of productive play in front of them and get a chance to make a top-five pick.”