Memphis Grizzlies: 5 options for pick No. 2 in 2019 NBA Draft
1. Ja Morant, PG, Murray State
Rumors swirl in the weeks leading into the NBA Draft, and everything must be taken with a grain of salt. The idea that the Memphis Grizzlies have already decided they will take Ja Morant and have promised that to him is both very possible, and at the same time very possibly a misdirection.
Source: Barring the unexpected, Memphis Grizzlies front office and ownership appear to have locked in on selecting Ja Morant with the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, and are informing parties in Chicago of such. That clears the way for R.J. Barrett to fall to the Knicks at #3.
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 15, 2019
With multiple teams in the lottery in strong need of a point guard, this could be the Grizzlies negotiating through the media. If it is not, and they are indeed locked in on Ja Morant, then there are plenty of reasons to love the selection.
Morant exploded onto the scene in college basketball this season, as apparently the new trend is a point guard coming out of nowhere to become a top-five pick after Trae Young did the same last season. One mock draft in the preseason last year predicted him to go 23rd; his general landing spot prior to the season was the back-third of the first round.
The Murray State point guard averaged 24.5 points and 10.0 rebounds per game last year, the only player in at least 25 years to hit those marks. His passing ability and vision are exceptional, and he is explosive attacking the rim and creating opportunities for his teammates. When he can get to the rim, he is well-known for throwing the ball directly through the hoop himself.
His outside shot will need developing, and defensively there are question marks as to how much of a liability he might be. Point guard prospects are almost always rough on defense to start their careers, so there is time for him to improve. The Grizzlies will not expect to compete for a couple of seasons, so there’s little pressure in that sense.
Drafting Ja Morant will make trading Mike Conley easier, as they do not need to replace him in the deal and can be more flexible in the returning package. His fit with Jaren Jackson Jr. would be perfect, with Jackson being versatile in the pick-and-roll with Morant and defensively talented enough to help insulate him.
Next. Winners and losers of the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery. dark
Whether the Grizzlies take Morant as the rumors suggest they will, select another player or trade down, they have significantly more valuable options than they did before the draft lottery. Their rebuild is gaining legs, and the team that resisted a tear-down for as long as possible may not have needed to fear it after all.