Cleveland Cavaliers: Ranking the NBA’s best young cores
By Tony Pesta
11. Memphis Grizzlies
Potential All-Stars: Ja Morant
The Memphis Grizzlies landed a bona fide star in Ja Morant this summer. The electrifying point guard from Murray State quickly became a lottery pick after becoming the first NCAA Division I player to average at least 20 points and 10 assists in a single season.
Morant is an explosive guard with insane athleticism and a gift for playmaking. His court vision sets him apart from other great prospects, always thinking one step ahead of the defense.
As a result, Ja has drawn comparisons to star players such as John Wall and Russell Westbrook. If anyone on this team has All-Star potential, it’s Morant.
This is great and all, but anyone who has been watching the Memphis Grizzlies understands that their core goes deeper than Morant. Last season, Jaren Jackson Jr. made waves as a sharpshooting big man that can rebound and defend at a high level.
Jackson averaged 13.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game as he became a member of the All-Rookie team.
To top it off, the Grizzlies have already made some great moves in the offseason to acquire the No .4 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Josh Jackson. Jackson hasn’t had a great career so far, but there is certainly a ton of promise left in this slashing wing player.
Other prospects such as De’Anthony Melton and Grayson Allen combine to make the Grizzlies a very interesting team for the future.
Cavaliers takeaway:
There isn’t much the Cavaliers can take away from the Grizzlies as of now. However, they should watch closely how Morant operates within the Memphis offense and attempt to replicate any success with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland.