1. Ja Morant, PG, Murray State
As soon as the lottery results were in, Morant and the Grizzlies were the easiest match in mock drafts this side of Williamson and the Pelicans. With Mike Conley likely on his way out via trade this offseason, as he has already said he wants no part of a rebuild, Morant would step right in to a starting job in Memphis.
If it needed specific reporting, Jonathan Givony of ESPN reported Wednesday night the Grizzlies appear to be “locked in” on drafting Morant second overall.
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
Givony does add an interesting note that drafting Morant would not necessarily immediately push Conley out the door. Using the two together in a smaller backcourt to ease Morant’s transition, at least until a suitable deal for Conley is found, is something the Grizzlies would consider.
But on the heels of Memphis getting the second selection, with Morant as the presumptive pick, Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported a team has resurfaced with interest in Conley.
"Morant, especially, seems like an intriguing fit: He would make for a tremendous long-term pick-and-roll partner with [Jaren] Jackson and could learn the tricks of the trade behind veteran point guard Mike Conley Jr. (That is, unless Memphis trades Conley – multiple league sources said this week that the Jazz are expected to make another push for him after failing to land him prior to the deadline.)"
Sometimes the easiest pick is the best pick. Assuming Williamson goes No. 1, Morant to the Grizzlies feels like a slam-dunk and it’s been confirmed quickly with news of their interest in him.