MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Grizzlies held their fourth pre-draft workout Wednesday, one that included Ole Miss forward Murphy Holloway for the second time and national champion guard Peyton Siva.
The session also had French SG/SF Jordan Aboudou, Miami F/C Julian Gamble, Middle Tennesee State guard and Memphis native Jason Jones and Oklahoma forward Romero Osby.
Here are three things we learned from the workout, the team’s first without recently deposed head coach Lionel Hollins.
To date, the Ole Miss forward has been the only player asked back for a second workout. Either the Grizzlies see something they like or ...
"Man, I hope it's something they like in the game and not that I'm just like an hour down the road," Holloway said with a smile. "I just play my hardest and hope it pays off for me."
Holloway wasn’t the only regional player at the workout. Osby (6-foot-8, 232 pounds) resides south on I-55 (Meridian, Miss.) and played at Mississippi State before transferring to Oklahoma. He averaged 16 points and seven rebounds as a Sooner senior.
Grizzlies director of player personnel and basketball development Stu Lash said Osby’s transition to the NBA will require him to make the transition from post player to the wing.
"He has a good skill package that I think you could see that development at some point,” Lash said.
Whether the Grizzlies like Holloway enough to draft him remains to be seen, but Lash had good things to say about the 6-foot-7, 240-pounder — a 56-percent shooter who needs to improve from the stripe (54 percent). Holloway averaged 14.5 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game as a senior.
Holloway's size has been a talking point. Lash says his strength downplays some of the size concerns. Holloway believe his experience against SEC big men allows him to handle either forward spot at the next level. Memphis has become known as one of the league's most physical teams and Holloway, in Lash's assessment, might be a good style fit.
"He's physically very strong, the kind of guy that can come into an NBA game and push people around,” Lash said. "Grab some rebounds, getting those hustle energy plays. A lot of times for players like that, it’s more of a fit in a certain roster where there’s an opportunity. He’ll fight his way into the league."
Lash said that Siva, whose media time included questions about Rick Pitino's new tattoo, had good control of his workout with team officials.
The four-year, championship-pedigreed point guard averaged 10 points and 5.7 assists last season with Louisville.
"His development at the point guard position is going to be just extending his range out there, being more consistent with his decision making. He's very good in the pick and roll, very good vision."
Siva (6-foot, 185 pounds), who shot only 29 percent from behind the arc last season, said as much when asked about his shortcomings as a prospect.
"Showing I can consistently make shots. I feel like I’m pretty good in the pick-and-roll department,” Siva said.
Memphis has made a habit of 3-on-3 games at the workouts, something Siva feels plays to his strengths. He has big-game experience and feels like he could be another floor leader, behind Mike Conley.
Conley didn’t come into the league as a feared shooter either, but is progressing into one.
Siva has gone from unlikely-to-be-drafted to a potential second-round pick following combine performances in Chicago and Brooklyn. He’s not new to NBA-style work, saying Pitino put the Cardinals through NBA-type drills every day in practice.
He's unemployed for the moment, though.
"It's a fun transition. You’ve got to enjoy it," Siva said. "If you stress out about it, you’re going to go a little crazy. I just let my life be wherever God takes me."
Wroten didn't get a lot of minutes under Hollins — less than eight during the regular season and three in the playoffs.
But things may change with a new coach on the way.
"Tony's development this summer is going to be a big part of our internal growth as an organization, what he does throughout June and summer league in July," Lash said. "Those are decisions and topics we're talking about now as we move toward the draft and free agency."
Reserve guard Jerryd Bayless was the first off the bench for the Grizzlies, averaging 8.7 points in 22 minutes. But Bayless, an unrestricted free agent, is willing to test the waters this summer.
