Clay Travis Says Memphis Grizzlies Whiffed By Not Picking Vols Hero In NBA Draft
The Memphis Grizzlies had their perfect pick sitting for them at ninth, and they whiffed it!
Wednesday's NBA Draft had a bit of a shakeup when the Grizzlies were up to pick.
With Vols standout Dalton Knecht slipping and still available, the Grizz had the perfect opportunity to pick the Vols hero.
It was too good to be true.
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The pick was in and Memphis selected Purdue's Zach Edey with the ninth overall pick.
Making matters worse, Edey hails from the team that eliminated Tennessee in the Elite 8.
Just a complete backstabbing by the Grizz, and OutKick founder Clay Travis was the first to call out the betrayal.
GLENDALE, Ariz. - Zach Edey of the Purdue Boilermakers jogs across the court in the second half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four semifinal game at State Farm Stadium on April 6. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Dalton Knecht of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts during the second half against the Saint Peter's Peacocks in the first round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 21. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Travis tweeted on Wednesday: "Memphis drafts the player in the top ten that the entire state of Tennessee hates with the player the entire state of Tennessee loves, Dalton Knecht, still on the board. We’ll see how it works out, but I think DK will be the way better pro."
Did Memphis screw up the pick?
And does Clay Travis really watch the NBA draft?
All good questions.
Dalton Knecht was the SEC Player of the Year and the second-best sharpshooter in the first round behind Kentucky's Reed Sheppard.
DETROIT - Dalton Knecht of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates a three-point basket against the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half in the Elite 8 round of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 31. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
Clay also reacted to Knecht's slip in the first round.
"Did Dalton Knecht murder someone?" Clay said. "Guy’s gonna be a really good NBA player. Good size, great athlete, will be a knockdown three point shooter at the worst. Insane he’s still on the board."
NBA's New Rookie Class Lacks Sizzle
The 2024 NBA Draft's top 10 was fairly predictable.
European star Zacharie Risacher was picked first by the Atlanta Falcons.
After skipping workouts with Atlanta — the no. 1 team — French Hooper Alex Sarr was selected second overall by the Washington Wizards.
READ: Dalton Knecht Is The SEC Player Of The Year, With A Tennessee Team Primed For Final Four Run
It was a great draft for international talent, which is probably why it's full of unknowns.
University of Kentucky's Reed Sheppard went third to the Houston Rockets.
Memphis Picks The Great Zach Edey
Now, the Grizzlies didn't pick a scrub at nine.
By now we've all heard of two-time College Player of the Year Zach Edey, who's played more of a traditional center's role than a versatile big, which is the trendy role in today's NBA.
Edey still made a strong impression at Purdue, averaging 24 points and 12 rebounds per game last season.
Optimistic mock drafts had Edey going between 10 and 20. Edey managed to exceed those forecasts.
The Lakers selected Knecht with the 17th pick of the draft. Interesting.
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