Re-drafting the 2019 NBA Draft — 2. Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
There’s also not much of an argument against Ja Morant, who the Grizzlies rightly selected in July 2019. He has already led Memphis to a playoff appearance, and looks the part of a championship-level point guard. The Grizzlies’ rebuild (if you can still call it that) has a long way left to go, but Morant is the heart and soul of one of the NBA’s most promising teams.
In his sophomore season, Morant averaged 19.1 points and 7.4 assists. He slashed .449/.303/.728 from the field. Concerns about his 3-point stroke are valid, but he’s so quick, it often doesn’t matter. He’s like a miniature, slender Zion in that sense — he just knifes through defenses no matter how he’s defended. He’s obviously not the same force of nature Zion is, and a more consistent 3-point stroke would work wonders for his game, but Morant is already a top-tier slasher and facilitator.
Morant’s playoff averages — 30.2 points, 8.2 assists — only further the case for him at No. 2. He steps up when the lights are brightest, and has proven himself as a leader and culture-setter in lieu of Mike Conley. The Grizzlies sprint to the podium to re-select him.