The Memphis-born big man averaged 12.0 points on 55 percent from the field and 72 percent from the charity stripe, 6.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.6 steals, and 0.4 blocks in 28 minutes per game during five games at the Orlando Summer League. He did commit 2.4 turnovers per game as well, but he helped lead the team to the summer league title. Stokes was unable to crack coach Dave Joerger's regular rotation as a rookie, posting averages of 3.0 points on 57 percent from the field and 54 percent from the free-throw line, 1.8 rebounds, 0.2 assists, 0.3 steals, and 0.3 blocks in seven minutes per game during 19 regular season games. On a positive note, he did get a chance to develop his game playing for the Grizzlies' D-League team, the Iowa Energy. In 23 games, Stokes averaged 15.1 points 11.3 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks in 32 minutes per game, shooting 62 percent from the field and 70 percent from the charity. There's no guarantee Stokes, whose offensive game is still raw, will see an increase in minutes during his sophomore season. Starters Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph command a lot of minutes, and Stokes is sure to have plenty of competition for reserve minutes from Brandan Wright, JaMychal Green, and Jarell Martin.

Stokes is entering his rookie season. In his third and final season at the University of Tennessee, the Memphis native averaged 15.1 points and 10.6 rebounds while shooting 53 percent from the field, which were all career-highs. Taken with the 35th pick by the Utah Jazz, the 6-9, 262 pound power forward was immediately traded to the Grizzlies, who were rumored to have interest in selecting him with the 22nd overall pick but instead drafted UCLA guard Jordan Adams. Stokes' impressive play at the Orlando Summer League (during which he averaged 12.2 points and 9.4 rebounds per game) convinced the Grizzlies to sign him to a three-year deal. Needing a fifth big man with only Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, Kosta Koufos, and Jon Leuer under contract for 2014-15, Stokes could see decent time in his rookie year. While he definitely has the beef to play center, he lacks the height, so he'll likely compete with Leuer for the backup minutes behind Randolph at the four. However, unless there's an injury to Gasol or Randolph, it's unlikely Stokes will receive an ample enough role to be worthy of too much consideration on draft day outside of the deepest leagues.