NBA Draft: With Ja Morant or R.J. Barrett the Memphis Grizzlies Are Good Either Way

The Memphis Grizzlies’ choice on the night of the NBA Draft ultimately comes down to Ja Morant and R.J. Barrett. Regardless of their decision, they cannot lose.

What do you know…news gets out about the minor knee procedure Ja Morant just underwent to remove a “loose body” and folks begin to theorize what this could mean for the upcoming NBA Draft. They start to mention R.J. Barrett being in the mix for the Memphis Grizzlies.

Either we are way too bored in-between NBA finals games, or it serves us well to look at other possibilities at the No. 2 pick in the NBA Draft. R.J. Barrett is the alternative but never the inferior, despite the buzz around Ja Morant over the past few months.

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One theory about Ja’s knee procedure is that the Memphis Grizzlies may have already given Ja a promise, which gave them the okay to go ahead with the procedure, knowing it would not be an issue.

Another theory alludes to Morant’s slight frame and the knee being a potential priority of maintenance if the Grizzlies go about drafting him. If Memphis brass decides to go against most speculation and draft R.J., they still get a potential superstar talent and a likely NBA All-Star player, possibly playing at said level from day one.

You see, I have been on the R.J. Barrett bandwagon, despite my endorsement of the Memphis Grizzlies drafting Ja Morant. Since this time last year, I have advocated that R.J. is the best player in the 2019 NBA Draft as of right now, even over super-phenom and Duke teammate Zion Williamson.

R.J. scored almost 900 points during his freshman season within the toughest college basketball conference — the ACC — on a loaded Duke roster. Not to mention Barrett did so as a freshman averaging virtually 23 points, eight rebounds, and four assists per game despite how much he had to share the ball.

Ja had slightly better statistics, but did so as a sophmore in the mid-major Ohio Valley Conference. R.J. Barrett has been touted as a phenom for years now, versus Morant bursting on the scene just this season.

R.J. would give the Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley a running mate who could possibly be just as good as if not better than Conley from Day One. What R.J. Barrett will bring that Conley has not is a definite Alpha Dog mentality — one who will take over games and drag his team to the win with hunger and tenacity. We have not seen that from a Grizzlies player since Tony Allen and Zach Randolph were on the roster.

Again, R.J. ws compared to Kobe Bryant by Hall-of-Fame point guard Steve Nash, who happens to be Barrett’s godfather. R.J. Barrett is also a well-spoken leader who conducts interviews really well and gives off the vibe of confidence, which is needed from his team.

R.J. plays angry and with a purpose, plus he wants the ball in the clutch versus him looking to pass or defer. Barrett may not compete with Penny Hardaway and Michael Jordan for selling the most sneakers, but he will likely compete with them for career individual statistics as many peg R.J. Barrett as the best shooting guard to enter the NBA Draft in at least 10 years.

Ja Morant, on the other hand, may not score as much as R.J. Barrett nor does he play as angry, but he definitely plays as hard and he is even more cerebral. R.J. can carry a team to wins, but Morant makes guys better.

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Barrett gives off the confidence of a goverment official or leader, one who is clearly an Alpha dog ready to pave the way if nobody else does. Morant exudes leadership as well, but differently in the sense that his game — especially his passing ability– empowers others.

What Ja also has more potential to do than R.J. is sell tickets immediately. He has more box office appeal. Ja Morant has the looks and charisma that gets teams more nationally-televised games along with more endorsements and revenue oppurtunites for all parties involved.

R.J. is an immediate complement to Mike Conley’s game, while Ja Morant is surely moreso a complement to Jaren Jackson Jr., which is the Memphis Grizzlies’ future face. That is not to say R.J. would not be a complement to Jaren, but Ja makes guys better immediately versus R.J. being more willing to carry the scoring load.

Ja Morant has more of a chance to spark the economy of Memphis, although R.J. Barrett brings the game to impact the same, but it will not be as fast unless R.J. activates his takeover badge from Day One. Ja has already taken the liberty of communicating with the Grizzlies’ future franchise player (Jaren) while R.J. declined Memphis for a workout.

Rumors are citing R.J. Barrett simply does not want to play in such a small market as Memphis. If the rumors are true, it is almost surely the agent holding out for a bigger market, such as the Los Angeles Lakers or New York Knicks home cities. However, that may not stop Memphis fans from “feeling some type of way,” in the words of Rich Homie Quan.

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If I had to bet money, I am deadlocked on who could have the better career. R.J. Barrett or Ja Morant will both impact franchises so greatly, but in such different ways. Either way the Memphis Grizzlies go with the pick, they cannot go wrong, if we are being honest. Memphis can rest easy on Draft Night as long as the pick itself is not traded.

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