The main focus of this year's draft for the Grizzlies is whether Darryn Peterson or Cam Boozer will be available at #3. Even though most indications are Peterson to Utah and Boozer to Memphis, there are growing conversations linking Boozer to Utah. Regardless of who the Grizzlies pick, they have the perfect blockbuster move to make after, and that is selecting Michigan's Morez Johnson Jr.
The Michigan Wolverines won this year's national championship, and that was largely due to a devastating frontcourt formed by Yaxel Lendeborg, Aday Mara, and Morez Johnson Jr. Even though Aday Mara was previously discussed as a potential option for the Grizzlies, it seems unlikely since the team will pick at #3 and Mara could sneak into the top 10.
While the dream of Aday Mara to Memphis has largely faded, that does not prevent the Grizzlies from winning the draft in a big way. Even though Cam Boozer is the stronger fit for the Grizzlies, the team would still get a likely franchise changer in Darryn Peterson as well.
Morez Johnson Jr. is the dream choice at #16 or in a trade-up situation
While Morez Johnson Jr. has previously been available at 16 or later in many mock drafts, a successful combine could lead to the Grizzlies potentially having to trade up for him. Whether he makes it to 16 or the Grizzlies trade up, it is well worth it to get him in Memphis. The Grizzlies need more defensive toughness and frontcourt depth, and for those reasons Johnson Jr. makes sense.
Morez Johnson Jr. spent his first season of college basketball at Illinois before transferring to Michigan and having an extremely successful sophomore season. Johnson Jr. made 40 starts for the Wolverines and averaged 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.8 stocks (steals and blocks) per game. Johnson Jr. was extremely efficient scoring inside the arc and a defensive mastermind.
Listed at 6-foot-9 and 251 pounds, Johnson Jr. also possesses an impressive 7-foot-4 wingspan while being a tenacious rebounder and capable of defending multiple positions. Johnson Jr. plays with the exact motor and toughness that Grizzlies fans loved to see back in the Grit and Grind era. Johnson Jr. is best as a power forward but can likely play quality small-ball center minutes too.
Johnson Jr. should figure to have an immediate impact because of his rebounding and defensive versatility but can still use some offensive development. Even though Johnson Jr. shot 34% from three, it was on a very low volume, and more work has to be done for him to be a quality NBA shooter. Johnson Jr. will still bring value as a rim runner but will have to keep improving as a shot creator.
Whether the Grizzlies are able to get Johnson Jr. at 16 or they have to move up above teams such as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Charlotte Hornets, it makes perfect sense to draft him. Even though the team still needs proven veterans, pairing Morez Johnson Jr. with one of Cam Boozer or Darryn Peterson would significantly speed up the rebuild in Memphis.
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