The Grizzlies are just 2-18 in their last 20 games, and it is obvious that the main priority is to get the best possible pick this summer. Christopher Kline of FanSided.com just released another mock draft following an electric NCAA Tournament. While the mock draft has some intrigue, it would almost certainly outrage the fanbase if this is the draft night outcome.
One of the biggest priorities right now for the Grizzlies is to make sure they can finish in the top 6 of the NBA lottery odds. Before diving into the specific players selected, the mock draft has the Grizzlies on the wrong end of the lottery luck they hope for.
The Grizzlies were given two lottery picks; however, their own pick ended up falling to #9, and the other pick is at #14. The Grizzlies also were given the 32nd overall pick in Round 2, but the main focus of this piece will be the lottery selections. There is still a chance the Grizzlies land in the top 4, but their own pick falling out of the top 8 would be a nightmare scenario after weeks of tanking.
Grizzlies find potential Morant successor with their first selection
To start, the mock has the Grizzlies selecting Labaron Philon Jr., a sophomore guard out of Alabama, 9th overall. Philon Jr. made the decision to return to Alabama for his sophomore season and has evolved into a very well-rounded scorer. Kline wrote about Philon Jr.'s pick-and-roll orchestration being a strong fit with Zach Edey and that he envisions Philon Jr. thriving as the Grizzlies start the post-Ja Morant era.
Philon Jr. averaged 22 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 5 assists in 33 games this year as a sophomore. He also shot 50.1% from the field and made 39.9% of his threes. Philon Jr. is a strong offensive option if the Grizzlies look to draft a potential Ja Morant replacement with the 9th pick.
Grizzlies also added an intriguing athletic wing
In all fairness, this is another prospect I like, but ideally the pick would land higher if the Grizzlies' own pick falls outside the top 8. The Grizzlies ended up selecting Dailyn Swain, a junior out of Texas, 14th overall. Swain played his first two seasons at Xavier before joining head coach Sean Miller at Texas. Kline views Swain as a sleeper in this class and also sees potential in a Cedric Coward and Dailyn Swain wing duo long-term.
As a junior, Swain averaged 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 36 games. Swain also showed off some defensive playmaking, averaging 1.9 stocks per game. He is a great athlete that is able to get to the rim and thrives defensively. Even though the jump shot is a concern, Dailyn Swain is a well-rounded player that could really elevate the two-way potential of the Grizzlies as they rebuild.
There are simply better scenarios for the Grizzlies
There is some intrigue to the Grizzlies drafting Labaron Philon Jr. and Dailyn Swain with their lottery picks. However, this is far from the Grizzlies' dream scenario.
When diving into earlier FanSided mock drafts, the Grizzlies ended up selecting Cam Boozer in the pre-March Madness mock. Following a chaotic first weekend, Kline had the Grizzlies selecting Darryn Peterson and Bennett Stirtz using their first-round picks. It would be a cruel twist of luck for the Grizzlies if their own pick does not land in the top 8.
Adding insult to the wound, their other pick ended up being the last one of the lottery. While it was a positive development to see the Grizzlies potentially pick in the lottery again, the pick simply is not high enough to offset the Grizzlies' own first-round pick plummeting. This is the exact scenario that would leave Grizzlies fans furious on draft night.
As the Grizzlies enter the early stages of their rebuild, there will be two key focus areas this summer. One, whether Ja Morant is traded or not. And two, this loaded 2026 NBA Draft, which is a prime opportunity to add talent and speed up the rebuild. Here's to hoping that the Grizzlies end up with better draft slots for this year's stacked class.