The Memphis Grizzlies have one of the best young cores in the NBA, but this summer, they'll likely add another significant prospect.

Sam Vecenie of the Game Theory Podcast just released his first 2027 NBA Mock Draft, and he's got Memphis picking up intriguing Ohio wing Anthony Thompson.

Yes, it's early to think about it. The 2026-27 NBA season starts soon. For some fans, thinking about the draft at this early stage is absurd.

NBA general managers do not feel the same way. They're already busy thinking about who they might select in the draft.

Would Thompson be the right choice for the Grizzlies?

I've written in this space before that the Grizzlies would do well to come away from the 2027 NBA Draft with a high-end point guard.

Thompson is not that.

He's an excellent, active defensive wing who can also hit threes off the catch or dribble. At 6'9" with a 7'4" wingspan, that makes him an intriguing prospect.

He'd crowd the Grizzlies' wing rotation. Yet, selecting a big man could also be undesirable if Zach Edey and Isaiah Stewart have strong seasons.

The Grizzlies are flush with young talent at every position but point guard, so naturally, filling the point guard spot would be a high priority:

But that doesn't mean it's guaranteed to happen.

Vecenie has point guard Jordan Smith Jr. landing third overall. He's got playmaking wing / possible point guard Stefan Joksimovic going second overall. Every other player in his top 10 is either a wing or a big man.

So, the Grizzlies may not get what they need in the 2027 NBA Draft:

But should Thompson even be what they want?

Yes.

If Memphis is stuck grabbing a wing in this draft, Thompson might be the perfect choice.

Kansas' Tyran Stokes is a 6'8" playmaking wing who is the presumptive No. 1 choice, but his shaky jump shot could make him a questionable fit alongside Cameron Boozer.

Thompson looks the part of a complementary wing who can periodically create his own shot with his length. This is the type of player who can complement any roster he's part of.

We don't know if that's true of Karim López. We know it's true of Jaylen Wells, but we don't know if he can stay healthy.

Above all else, we don't know if the Grizzlies have their starting small forward of the future secured.

So, if they can't bring in a point guard through the draft this summer, Thompson feels like a perfect consolation prize:

He'd make one of the best young cores in the NBA even better.