Memphis Grizzlies: Ranking the last 10 first-round NBA draft picks

1. Ja Morant

The most recent first-round draft pick for the Grizzlies is already making a case to be their best draft pick of all-time. That’s what happens when you come into the NBA and roll towards a (likely) Rookie of the Year award.

With Zion Williamson off the board, the Grizzlies took the Murray State point guard with the second overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft. In his first NBA game, he dropped 14 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

From there, it was off to the races for Morant. In 67 games, he averaged 17.8 points, 7.3 assists, and 3.9 rebounds per game. While he struggled with turnovers throughout the season, he also managed to finish in the top 10 in the league in assists and notch two triple-doubles.

Most importantly, he showed improvement and potential throughout the season. In his final game of the year – the play-in loss to the Portland Trail Blazers – Morant scored 35 points, a career-best performance. It was made more impressive by the revelation that Morant was playing with a fractured thumb.

Morant is poised to be the Grizzlies’ first ROTY since Pau Gasol in 2002. One day, he might become their first-ever MVP. He may even guide the franchise to their first NBA Finals trip. The sky’s the limit for Ja Morant, the team’s best first-round investment in eons.