Grizzlies Select Intriguing Sharpshooting Wing In Latest 2027 NBA Mock Draft

The Memphis Grizzlies have a lot of young talent, and they'll add more next summer. The latest 2027 NBA Mock Draft from Bleacher Report has them grabbing sharpshooting wing Anthony Thompson with the fifth overall pick.

Bleacher Report also has Memphis selecting BYU wing Bruce Branch III at No. 8 with the pick coming from Utah and Illinois guard Quentin Coleman at No. 17 with the Lakers' pick. Memphis acquired both 2027 first-rounders in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade.

It will be interesting to see how the Grizzlies approach next summer's draft. Will they look to address a need, or grab the best player available? Moreover, we don't even know where they might be picking. If they're surprisingly competitive, their pick could slip lower than this. Although with the league's flattened odds, even that wouldn't be certain.

That said, Thompson would be a suitable choice no matter where they select, and what their motives are.

That's because Thompson should be able to play with anyone.

So, let's take a closer look at the Ohio State Buckeye.

Thompson is 6'9" with a 7'3" wingspan, which gives him excellent NBA size. He's also a knockdown shooter. Thompson's ability to hit spot-up three-pointers at his size reminds scouts of useful NBA veterans like Harrison Barnes.

The big question surrounding Thompson is whether he can create his own shot. He can attack a closeout, but whether he can create offense from scratch in isolation settings is unclear.

If he can? He'll be a high lottery lock. Yet, even with that question mark hanging over him, Bleacher Report has him landing fifth at this moment. Why?

Well, this draft is generally seen as weak. Thompson can shoot and defend multiple positions. That might be enough to land him in the top 5 in a class without top-end talent, although there's plenty of time for Thompson and his peers to prove that assessment wrong.

Which, of course, is why it's far too early to predict who Memphis might draft.

At this moment, Kansas' Tyran Stokes is overwhelmingly viewed as this draft's top prospect.

He's a 6'8" wing with ball-handling chops, outstanding floor vision, and enough bulk to force his way to the rim. Stokes looks like the real deal, but otherwise, this draft is full of question marks.

Could wing Caleb Holt establish his star potential? Can the raw-but-talented forward Baba Oladotun shoot up draft boards? How about Slovenian playmaker Stefan Joksimovic?

For now, we can say that Thompson is in that mix. He could hear his name called as high as second overall by the time of the draft, or he could slip out of the top 10. Nobody knows what could happen, but it is safe to say that Thompson would be an intriguing addition to the Grizzlies' roster.

And their roster is already intriguing enough.