NBA Draft: 3 Factors Leading to Ja Morant Jump-Starting Memphis Grizzlies’ Rebuild

Finding Fit in Memphis

The Memphis Grizzlies are struggling on the offensive end and Marc Gasol‘s departure created a bigger void on that end of the floor. Jaren Jackson Jr. will have an offseason under his belt at the start of the 2019-20 campaign and his offensive game will likely be more polished. However, JJJ is more of a full package that increases the team’s defensive ceiling. Ja Morant, on the other hand, can be a top-10 scorer in the league three years from now.

Morant would reduce Mike Conley’s workload and hence the risk of injury. Conley is a career 37.4% three-point shooter and can play off-ball next to Morant in his age-32 season. Morant can also solve the backup point guard problem if the coaching staff staggers their minutes.

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Scoring is not the only thing the South Carolina native offers. Ja Morant is a cerebral player blessed with great vision. The pressure his drives put on the defense creates opportunities for his teammates, and Morant is adept at finding the open man. Gasol’s departure created a need for a second playmaker who has good vision. The Grizzlies will find that in Morant.

Should the Memphis Grizzlies snatch Morant on Draft Day, the starting line-up for the coming season may feature Conley, Morant, Kyle Anderson, Jackson Jr., and Jonas Valanciunas, should he opt into the final year of his contract.

Jaren Jackson Jr. would benefit the most from having two point guards on the court and could play the pick-‘n’-roll with either Mike Conley or Ja Morant. JJJ can then roll to the basket or spot-up for a three. Jaren Jackson’s spacing would in turn create driving lanes for Morant on NBA courts.

Playing with a great mentor like Conley would accelerate Morant’s development. Mike has great personality and character. Plus, his remaining years in Memphis could serve as an opportunity to prepare his ultimate successor for the leading role.

The Memphis Grizzlies will lose most of their remaining 23 games even though winning has been set as the primary goal. There is a real risk that the Grizzlies will stay in top-eight and will have to seek solace in lesser talent. So the question is this. Why not dream big?