Grizzlies pick Warrick as likely replacement for Swift

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Grizzlies pick Warrick as likely replacement for Swift
By Ronald Tillery
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June 29, 2005

Soon after Jerry West arrived in Memphis three years ago he told confidants that the Grizzlies would attempt to redo the Stromile Swift draft.

That pick -- No. 4 overall in the 2002 NBA draft -- turned into Drew Gooden and eventually became bait to lure Mike Miller.


Wanting to replace Swift may have simply been a desire then.

This time, West candidly viewed finding Swift's replacement as necessary.

That the Griz see their future without Swift became evident Tuesday when they used the No. 19 pick to select Hakim Warrick, a 6-9 forward from Syracuse.

Because Swift -- the second overall pick in 2000 -- is an unrestricted free agent expected to sign elsewhere, the Griz reached for a more mature version with Warrick, given his four-year college career is packaged with mouth-watering athleticism and leaping ability.

"Stromile Swift is an unrestricted free agent," said West, the team's president. "Does that have something to do with how we drafted? Absolutely."

Improving their rebounding deficiency served as a theme for the Grizzlies' draft.

Late into the night, West acquired the draft rights to Mississippi State forward Lawrence Roberts. The Seattle Sonics selected the 6-9 Roberts No. 55 overall and then accepted two future second-round picks and cash from the Grizzlies for his services.

"He's a (power forward). He's a quick, powerful jumper and he's physical," West said of Roberts before adding: "We wanted to get more athletic. We've certainly done that. We wanted to get quality people. We've certainly done that."

As the Griz prepare to lose Swift, consider Warrick an upgrade in frontcourt help off the bench, given his offensive productivity in college. He averaged 21.4 points on 55-percent shooting to go with 8.6 rebounds during his senior season with Syracuse.

"I'm looking forward to playing in an up-tempo system," Warrick said. "I feel I can really help them, especially in rebounding. And I can use my athleticism and finish on the break. ... I have a pretty good mid-range jump shot that people haven't seen. I think I can shoot the ball pretty well from 18 to 19 feet."

Grizzly scouts watched Warrick play in 18 games last season. That research came in handy when the time came to make their lone draft pick. Warrick didn't work out for the Griz because his agent believed he would be taken much higher than 19.

The Grizzlies "never crossed my mind," admitted Warrick, who said he believed he would be a lottery pick taken as high as 10. "I've never been to Memphis."

Tony Barone Sr., Griz director of player personnel, said they projected Warrick to leave the draft board as high as 12. In the end, Warrick sat as the final player in the green room at New York's Madison Square Garden.

"It was tough not knowing where I'm going, and slipping past all of those teams was the longest two hours of my life," Warrick said on the ESPN broadcast shortly after he was taken. "It's been the story of my life -- always overlooked."

Not lost on Griz coach Mike Fratello was Warrick's solid character and versatility. Warrick can play both forward positions.

"He's long. He's an athlete," Fratello said. "He gives us flexibility in terms of where he's going to play. I'm not sure you need to put a number on this guy. Is he a three? Is he a four? Somewhere in there he is a player."

Draft experts compared Warrick to Denver forward Marcus Camby. The Griz could only be so lucky if Warrick develops into the rebounding dynamo that was Camby last season.

The Griz expect Warrick to contribute immediately but they have no illusions about Warrick serving as a savior for their rebounding woes. His weakness reminds one of Swift's shortcoming, because Warrick tends to rely on his athletic ability and raw talent.

Also, Warrick can't play center or block shots like Swift did throughout his Grizzly career.

The Griz, though, expressed confidence in Warrick's intensity around the basket.

"He's a lively, athletic body," West said. "He dunks everything around the basket and he's quick. He's a very good offensive rebounder also."

In other words, Warrick represents a step toward remaking a roster that didn't have enough toughness, rebounding and chemistry.

West wanted to accomplish more Tuesday but failed to consummate any of the trades he sought before landing Roberts at the end of the draft.

"We had a bunch of them on the table but none of them materialized," West said. "... We've been talking to a lot of people but so far we haven't been able to get anything done. It's amazing to me sometimes to see some of the deals that are made and you start scratching your head, saying 'I think what we offered was a lot better,' but people have to make that decision on their own."

West has discussed deals with Cleveland and the Los Angeles Clippers -- teams that still could be trade partners as the Griz attempt to move Bonzi Wells, and possibly Jason Williams and Lorenzen Wright.

The Griz have until Friday to exercise an $8 million team option or Wells will become an unrestricted free agent along with Swift, Ryan Humphrey and Earl Watson.

Wright, who is about to enter the final year of his deal, publicly demanded a trade because the team won't discuss a contract extension.

West reiterated that the draft was only the first step toward tweaking the roster.

"I read all the time that you people (the media) think we're in a cost-cutting mode," West said. "When it comes to basketball ... no. There are a couple of free agents out there that we have a great interest in that might address another need."

-- Ronald Tillery: 529-2353