I was planning on writing this closer towards the draft, but I felt like now is a good time.

The Grizzlies are sitting at the best odds for the number eight pick in the 2019 draft with a class that is very top heavy.

This class has about three tiers of players and there are very few in those top two tiers. Your top tier consists of Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and RJ Barrett. Those are obviously the ones going 1-3. The second tier has a little bit more players, such as Coby White, Jarrett Culver and Rui Hachimura, etc.

But the guy I want is the second name I mentioned out of that second tier. Obviously, if anyone from the first tier is available, you take them. But there is no way that is possible at the eighth pick. That is why I have my heart set on Jarrett Culver.

Culver is a solid, big two guard at 6’6 195 pounds. He’s out of Texas Tech who made it to the National Championship. He played 32.5 minutes in every game this year for Texas Tech, and he hasn’t missed a game since he got there in 2017. On top of that, he accounted for 35% of all of Texas Tech’s scoring plays this season. He averaged 18.5 points and 3.7 assists while shooting over 50% from the field. However, he did struggle from three this year, he has solid form and will be able to be a spot up shooter at the next level. He averaged over a steal a game and showed the ability to guard multiple positions, no matter the stage.

Pairing Culver’s defensive ability with the likeness of Jaren Jackson Jr. and maybe Mike Conley next season will allow the Grizzlies to have a very solid defense next year and it will also add another scorer to the lineup, which is something the Grizzlies need desperately this season.