2019 NBA Draft

Memphis Grizzlies

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2019 NBA Draft Party

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The Memphis Grizzlies tonight announced that the team selected Murray State University guard Ja Morant (Jah mo-RANT) with the second overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft.

The Grizzlies will introduce Morant at a press conference at 2 p.m. tomorrow, June 21 in the Grand Lobby of FedExForum. The press conference will be streamed live on Grizzlies.com, through the Memphis Grizzlies mobile app and broadcasted live on FOX Sports Southeast. The event will be open to the public with free parking available in the Gossett Motors Parking Garage. Fans are encouraged to tune into Grizzlies.com before the press conference for a 1:30 p.m. interview with Morant on The Chris Vernon Show. The Grizzlies also will host Food Truck Friday before the press conference from noon-2 p.m. on the FedExForum Plaza.

Named the 2018-19 Lute Olsen National Player of the Year and Bob Cousy Award winner as the nation’s top point guard, Morant (6-3, 175) led Murray State to a 28-5 record and the 2019 Ohio Valley Tournament championship as a sophomore last season. The 19-year-old started all of his 33 games for the Racers last season and averaged 24.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 10.0 assists and 1.76 steals in 36.6 minutes, leading all Division I players in assists and ranking seventh in scoring. Morant became the first player to average at least 20 points and 10 assists in a season since the NCAA officially began counting assists in 1983-84.

The consensus 2018-19 All-America First Team selection guided Murray State to the second round of the 2019 NCAA Tournament and posted the ninth triple-double in NCAA Tournament history with 17 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists in a first-round victory over Marquette. It marked Morant’s third triple-double of the season, which led all Division I players.

Morant, who shot 49.9 percent from the field, 36.3 percent from three-point range and 81.3 percent from the free throw line, recorded 331 assists in 2018-19, which is the sixth most in NCAA history in a single season. His 18 assists on Jan. 10, 2019 vs. UT Martin were the most by any Division I player last season.

A native of Dalzell, South Carolina, Morant started all of his 65 games over two years at Murray State and averaged 18.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 1.35 steals in 35.3 minutes.

The Grizzlies Den, a Fanatics Experience will also be open tomorrow with great offers and sales including 25% off select merchandise as well as buy one get one 50% off on select headwear. Grizzlies fans will have the opportunity to be the first to place orders for Ja Morant’s jersey and will also be able to purchase the NBA Draft Hat Collection by New Era, the Official On-Court Headwear of the NBA.

Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase 2019-20 Season Tickets can do so now by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going online to grizzlies.com/tickets. Grizzlies fans who purchase Season Tickets will also receive a free Ja Morant jersey.

Sign up for Grizzlies E-News for the latest team news, promotions, contests and ticket offers delivered directly to your in-box.

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Grizzlies select Ja Morant with second overall pick in 2019 NBA Draft

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MEMPHIS – If the wiser, more seasoned 19-year-old Jaren Jackson Jr. of today could reach back in time and have a talk with the younger, eager and detrimentally anxious version of himself this time a year ago, the conversation would start something like this:

“I’d say, ‘Yo! Calm down,’” Jackson said of the first piece of advice he’d give himself on the verge of entering the NBA. “I was doing so much. I was like, ‘Hey, I’ve got to get ready. I’ve got to get ready.’ My agent was like, ‘You have to take some time off.’ Because I was pretty much on a path to burning myself out early, and I wasn’t going to really have enough in me to really be ready.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted fourth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Photo by Mike Stobe via Getty Images.

This week marks the one-year anniversary of when the Grizzlies selected Jackson with the No. 4 overall pick in the NBA Draft. At the time, the 6-foot-11 power forward was an 18-year-old prospect who initially had major reservations about leaving Michigan State after his promising freshman season.

By all accounts, Jackson passed his first-year test in the NBA while enduring a turbulent season in Memphis. He became the first rookie in league history to amass at least 50 blocks, 50 steals, 50 made three-pointers and shoot at least 50 percent from the field. And despite being limited to 58 games with a deep thigh bruise that shut him down after the All-Star break in February, Jackson was a first-team NBA All-Rookie selection.

The Grizzlies own a top-five pick for the second straight year entering Thursday’s NBA Draft in Brooklyn, with expectations they will use the No. 2 overall selection on 19-year-old Murray State point guard Ja Morant to partner with Jackson. That potential pairing would form one of the league’s youngest and most dynamic foundations.

If anyone knows what it’s like to go through this process, it’s Jackson. That’s one of the reasons he’s eager to return to New York this week to work with the NBA on its comprehensive coverage of Thursday’s Draft. Jackson recently sat down with Grind City Media to reflect on his rookie season, vivid memories of his own draft week and what rookie cheat codes he’d pass onto the top incoming players as they transition into the NBA.

Grind City Media: The saying is that time flies. But does it feel like an entire year has passed since your draft week?

Jaren Jackson Jr.: Probably so, just because when you go through a season, you kind of forget about a lot of the things you did to prepare for it. But when you think of it like that, it was long. You did a lot of stuff to prepare for the NBA Combine and the draft. And after the combine, there’s still a lot of time before you get with your team at the draft. So yeah, it’s been a minute. It’s kind of the same process every summer. You have to train the same way.

GCM: If you had a chance to go back and write a letter to Jaren Jackson Jr. last June, what would you tell yourself about preparing for what was ahead?

JJJ: I’d say, Yo! Calm down. Because I was doing so much. I was so like, ‘Hey, I’ve got to get ready. I’ve got to get ready.’ My agent was like, ‘You have to take time off.’ Because I was pretty much on a path to burn out early, and I wasn’t going to really have enough in me to really be ready for camp and training for my team, because I was just trying to live and jump and do everything every day. Yeah, it was working for my workouts and my workouts were good. But I had to find different times when I’d take time off and focus on my body, understanding recovery is important. And I didn’t really value it as much. I just thought that if you work and just keep doing things, you’d be fine. But you have to do other things and take care of yourself.

Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies drives on Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during an NBA basketball game at ORACLE Arena on November 5, 2018 in Oakland, CA. Photo by Thearon W. Henderson via Getty Images.

GCM: Looking back, why was it so hard to let go and enter the draft after your freshman year at Michigan State?

JJJ: You are with your college teammates so much, it’s like family. It’s like you’re leaving your family. So I didn’t want to leave. God knows I didn’t. I was really back and forth on it. I didn’t really think of it from a professional standpoint at all. It was all kind of emotional, not wanting to leave. So I honestly didn’t give it a lot of thought. My first impulse reaction was, ‘I’m not trying to leave.’ But, you know, I left. Coach Tom Izzo wanted what was best for me, which obviously – well, not obviously – but it was best to leave. I’m happy I made it, because I honestly don’t think I would have been as happy. But I honestly loved my teammates and all that stuff. I wanted some stability for once. I had been moving around my whole life. I’ve had a different coach every year since I was a freshman in high school. My first two years, I had one coach, and then switched my junior year, changed schools. So I had another coach. Then I went to college and I had another coach. So I didn’t want to leave. I said I want one coach. I come here and get another coach, and now I have another one after that. Some familiarity is good sometimes.

GCM: How much has it taught you about being able to adjust, being resilient?

JJJ: If you just focus on yourself, you can focus on anything. You just have to prepare for the absolute worst. That’s what I do. I prepare for, like, not necessarily the bad. But I prepare for, like, we’re going to have a crazy training camp. It’s going to be hard. We’re going to be running. I’m going to be ready for all that stuff. I’m going to get into the best shape possible. I’m going to be locked in. I’m going to be looking at film. I’m going to be looking at plays. I’m going to be ready for anything they throw at me. I’m going to get with (new Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins) early, just to get on the same page to know what he wants. And I want to know his expectations and do what’s asked, so I can help the team do what I have to do.

GCM: Going back to last year’s pre-draft meetings with teams, you were asked how you would handle life in the NBA. To this day, what most stuck with you from those questions you faced from a year ago?

JJJ: Just how teams were trying to read how you’d react to certain things. They were about to spend a lot of money on you, so they’re trying to test you in hot water. It’s not really a friendly thing. They really do like you, but they’re not trying to be friendly. That’s not their role. They’re trying to test you to see how you react to certain stuff, because that’s how the whole season is going to be. The whole season is one big test. They want to see if you’re up for it. So you just have to be professional and tell the truth, and understand that anything they ask you, they already know the answer to it.

GCM: So what’s one example of that? What’s one of those test reaction questions you were asked?

JJJ: If there was a movie, and you were starring in it and it’s all about you, what would it be called? What would the title be? So I’m like, ‘Huh?’ Obviously, they’re looking for me to say some great answer, and I really didn’t know. So I kind of just said something about perseverance. But that’s what they’re looking for. It’s not really an answer, it’s how you reacted and delivered that response, how long you took. It’s not really about your answer, it’s about everything else; your facial (expression). They’re trying to see what they’re about to get into. They don’t want to get caught slipping, because their jobs are on the line, too. If they don’t pick the right person, they’re out of there.

Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the U.S. Team handles the ball against the World Team during the 2019 Mtn Dew ICE Rising Stars Game on February 15, 2019 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler via Getty Images.

GCM: Do you feel like you were way too anxious back then? Were you cool, or nervous and just hiding it well?

JJJ: I just did it. I don’t really think about it. I just kind of do it and go through it. It’s just talking. I don’t really like to do media training. But if you ever see me talking while I’m standing still and my eyes aren’t moving, I’m not into it. That’s not me. I’m just doing it. I feel better about having a conversation. There’s no good or bad answer in a conversation, and you don’t have to know everything or always be right.

GCM: You worked out for three teams last year before draft night. Memphis wasn’t one of them. Did that mean anything at the time, and does it mean anything when top draft prospects take a specific approach to workouts?

JJJ: All of my workouts were one-on-zero. So be in shape. It’s really like a test of if you can keep going. It’s not about if you can do it well. Obviously, you want to make shots, but you want to keep going. For instance, in Atlanta, they didn’t allow me to use my left hand, because they knew I was left-handed. So my workout was pretty iffy, because it was literally all right-handed, from dribbling to passing to shooting to layups to driving. And I’m so frustrated because I’m like, ‘Man, this whole workout is all on my off hand, and I can’t even get comfortable.’

JJJ: Yes, Phoenix was my first one. And I was so locked in because I didn’t know where I was going to go, and everybody of course wants to be the No. 1 pick. I was just really locked in there. And the other workout was Dallas. And there, it was funny, because they had a bunch of people in the gym, but they weren’t talking. So they were just evaluating. I’m cool with Rick Carlisle; that’s my guy. So in that workout, you might just see like a smirk from him. He knows what I’m doing is tiring. I remember running to half-court and back to the paint, catching lobs and stuff. I remember one time, whoever threw the pass hit the rim, so that doesn’t count. And I had to run all the way back the other way to start again. And I was dying. I was so tired. All of those workouts are different.

GCM: Have you grown the most physically or psychologically in the past year? Because you’ve gone through a lot from the thigh injury to the midseason trade that changed the roster and now another coaching change.

JJJ: Probably physically, because with the time off, I was able to lift a lot. So I started my offseason lifts after I got hurt (in February). And it gave me a lot of time to really get stronger and fill out a little bit. But mentally, my battle mentally is just that I’m so hard on myself, like unreasonably so - to the point where I can put myself in a bind just by being never happy. If you watch me work out, I’m never, ever, ever happy. Like, I’m happy in the game, I’ll have fun. But, like, workouts, when I’m trying to get better, if I miss one shot, I’m (upset). I’m going to keep going hard, for sure. But I’ll be frustrated, angry. And coaches would come over and be like, ‘Yo, you’re good. Move on.’ And I’d be like, ‘Nah, bro. I missed that. I should have never missed that.’ Everything is pretty cool. I’m really kind of (low key) about a lot of things, otherwise. I don’t let it affect me. Control what you can control.

Elliot Perry, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Zach Kleiman pose for picture after acquiring the #2 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery at the Hilton Chicago on Tuesday, May 14, 2019.

GCM: Lastly, there’s a new group coming in at the top of the lottery who are about to go through draft night. What is Jaren Jackson Jr.’s message to those guys as they get set to enter the NBA? What could only you tell another guy like Zion Williamson or Ja Morant or RJ Barrett, having been in that exact same spot last year?

JJJ: It's hard to do that now, because we’re at a point where there’s so much direction given to players by other people. There’s no way Zion and RJ and Ja don’t have a great team (of advisors) around them, telling them where to go every minute, telling them what to eat, how to work out and where, when you’re going to do this, how you’re going to do that and make this money. All of that stuff. They’re going to be locked in. Just listen to who’s around you. Trust who’s around you, but make sure you get people you trust around you. Because you can’t do this on your own. Everything levels off. If you work at it, you’ll be good. Really. It ain’t crazy. Well, it is crazy, but it ain’t. And summer league is going to be a breeze for some of those guys. It really is. But also know that summer league is not the NBA at all. Summer league is honestly like practice, if that. Maybe not even. It gets much harder from there (laughs). Trust me.

The contents of this page have not been reviewed or endorsed by the Memphis Grizzlies. All opinions expressed by Michael Wallace are solely his own and do not reflect the opinions of the Memphis Grizzlies or its Basketball Operations staff, owners, parent companies, partners or sponsors. His sources are not known to the Memphis Grizzlies and he has no special access to information beyond the access and privileges that go along with being an NBA accredited member of the media.

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MikeCheck: As NBA Draft looms, Jaren Jackson Jr. reflects on first-year Grizz journey and shares rookie cheat code with top incoming prospects

With the No. 2 overall pick in the upcoming 2019 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies are inviting Grind City fans to FedExForum on Thursday, June 20 at 6 p.m. for the team’s official 2019 NBA Draft Party. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with draft coverage tipping off at 6 p.m on the Grizzlies’ main HD video display. This event is free to the general public and will conclude after the final selection of the first round.

Grizzlies TV play-by play announcer Pete Pranica and sideline reporter Rob Fischer along with Grind City Media’s Chris Vernon and Lang Whitaker will be on site to discuss the 2019 NBA Draft, and fans can expect to hear exclusive interviews from a few surprise Grizzlies guests. Fans will also have the opportunity to see a special performance from hip-hop artist Rob Base as he takes the stage to perform his hit “It Takes Two.” In addition, the night will feature multiple performances from Grizzlies entertainment teams like Grizz Girls, GrizzLine and the Grizzlies Grannies and Grandpas. Attendees can also enjoy face painting, balloon artists and other activities around the concourse at FedExForum. For those unable to attend the Draft Party, Grind City Media will stream live at Grizzlies.com at various times throughout the night providing instant analysis as the Draft unfolds. Grind City Media Senior Editor and Contributor Michael Wallace will also be reporting live from the 2019 NBA Draft in New York and will provide on-the-ground interviews and analysis throughout the day. Stay tuned and connected to the Grizzlies (@memgrizz) and Grind City Media (@grindcitymedia) on Twitter for updates to the schedule.

The Grizzlies Den, a Fanatics Experience will be open all day June 20 through the end of the draft party with great offers and sales including 25% off select merchandise. Grizzlies fans will have the opportunity to be the first to place orders for the new Draft Pick jersey and will also be able to purchase the NBA Draft Cap series by New Era, the Official On-Court Headwear of the NBA. FedExForum concessions will be open and available for purchase throughout the night, and free parking will be offered in the Gossett Motors Parking Garage for all fans in attendance.

All MVP Season Ticket Members who RSVP directly with their Account Executive will receive exclusive access to the Grizzlies MVP hospitality zone along with behind-the-scenes Grizzlies experiences in FedExForum, including a meet &amp; greet with Grizzlies guard Dillon Brooks before the draft begins and complimentary snacks throughout the night. Fans who want to learn more about the MVP Draft Night VIP experience or become a Grizzlies MVP Season Ticket Member may do so now by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going online to Grizzlies.com.

In addition, young Grizzlies fans have the opportunity to sign up on Draft Night for a Grizzlies Youth Basketball Summer Camp session presented by Nike. Young athletes can register for multiple sessions that are currently being offered in various locations throughout Memphis and the Mid-South. Those who sign up at FedExForum during the Grizzlies Draft Party will receive a discounted rate. For more information, visit www.grizzlies.com/camps.

Grizzlies fans in the Nashville area can also join in on all the draft night action from 6 – 9 p.m. at The Mainstay (501 Main St.). Fans will be able to enjoy food, drinks and exclusive giveaways while watching the 2019 NBA Draft live with fellow Grizzlies fans and the hosts of Fastbreak Breakfast Podcast.

For more in-depth coverage on the Draft and all your Grizzlies news, fans can sign-up for Grizzlies E-News, like Grind City Media on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram (@GrindCityMedia).

Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies and purchase 2019-20 Season Tickets can do so now by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going online to grizzlies.com/tickets. For more information on the Grizzlies, visit grizzlies.com, ‘like’ Memphis Grizzlies on Facebook or follow on Twitter and Instagram (@memgrizz).

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Memphis Grizzlies to host 2019 NBA Draft Party at FedExForum on Thursday, June 20 at 6 p.m.

MEMPHIS – With the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies select ... ?

The early and solid frontrunner is Murray State explosive point guard Ja Morant. Most believe he’ll be the one slipping on a Grizzlies cap, sliding across the stage on June 20 and shaking Commissioner Adam Silver’s hand when the No. 2 pick is announced at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

But what about Duke prolific swingman RJ Barrett? Didn’t he enter this past season as the consensus top NBA draft prospect and then only cemented his stock by setting the ACC freshman scoring record?

Is the potential Morant-Barrett decision even a legit draft debate?

Can what seems to be a no-brainer now evolve into a mind-bender closing in on draft night?

Teammates Zion Williamson #1 and RJ Barrett #5 of the Duke Blue Devils react against the Syracuse Orange during their game in the quarterfinal round of the 2019 Men's ACC Basketball Tournament at Spectrum Center on March 14, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo by Streeter Lecka via Getty Images.

While Morant carries the early and heavy momentum a week after the Draft Lottery was set, a growing number of NBA executives, league scouts and national basketball analysts caution against easily dismissing Barrett as a potential fit and intriguing option for the Grizzlies.

Barring a catastrophic reversal of plans, Duke forward Zion Williamson is a lock to be taken first by the New Orleans Pelicans. Count on that like Nawlins' residents bank on beignets for breakfast.

What’s also clear is that in the coming weeks, the Grizzlies will complete a daunting due diligence process to arm themselves with every facet of information and analyses necessary for a draft decision that could define the next decade.

While a majority of executives among the 14 lottery teams in Chicago last week rank Morant ahead of Barrett, some told Grind City Media that the talent and potential impact gap between the two is hardly as wide as initially perceived. The coming weeks of workouts could widen or eliminate any gap at all. National media analysts and longtime talent evaluators tend to agree with that notion.

“RJ versus Ja is certainly a conversation,” Los Angeles-based ESPN Draft Analyst Mike Schmitz said. “Personally, I think Ja has a little bit more upside in terms of his explosiveness, combined with his feel for the game. RJ is going to be a really, really good player. He’s going to be an All-Star caliber player.”

Schmitz also comprehends the other side of the spectrum.

“Not every team sees it the same,” Schmitz continued. “Some think that RJ, who came into the season at No. 1 on our board, has a chance to be better than Ja for sure because of his size and ability to score at all three levels, and make others better when he wants to. So, I think it’s huge to have that top-three pick, and it’s not a clear-cut (call), like, ‘Ja Morant is for sure going to be a better NBA player than RJ Barrett,’ – even though that’s kind of how I see it right now.”

The Grizzlies’ front-office contingent met with Williamson, Morant and Barrett last week in the Chicago at the NBA Draft Lottery and Combine. While NBA insiders and national reports have strongly linked the Grizzlies to Morant as their target, top Memphis executives are committed to taking a methodical approach to draft evaluations and will consider multiple options as they proceed with the No. 2 pick.

Next month’s draft, coupled with the rapid development of returning All-Rookie First Team forward Jaren Jackson Jr., gives the Grizzlies some foundational pieces on which to build.

“Having Jaren plus whatever we do with the No. 2 pick is a pretty exciting position to be in,” Zach Kleiman, the Grizzlies’ executive vice president of basketball operations, told Grind City Media last week. “This is a great outcome for us. We look forward to where this process takes us.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up before the game against the San Antonio Spurs on July 5, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Photo by Joe Murphy via Getty Images.

If that process steers the Grizzlies toward the draft’s most prolific point guard, then Morant brings a performance resume with a distinction as the only player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and 10 assists in a college basketball season. A potential knock on the 6-foot-3 sophomore was that he played in the relatively small Ohio Valley Conference and didn’t face elite college competition nightly as did some of the draft’s other high lottery prospects.

But when Murray State faced some of the NCAA’s higher-profile programs, Morant elevated his performance even beyond his normal video-game like numbers and viral highlights. In four games this past season against Alabama, Auburn, Marquette and Florida State – the last two in the NCAA Tournament – Morant averaged 27 points, 8.0 assists and 8.2 rebounds while shooting 49.7 percent from the field, including 44.4 percent on threes. He also averaged six turnovers.

“We always want leaders on the floor, guys who make other guys better and (Morant) did that,” said Steve Kyler, who runs an international scouting and analysis website Basketball Insiders. “If you look at his supporting cast at Murray State, these are not guys we talked about as high-level, pro-level prospects – and he made them all look great. And when you need a bucket, he could do that, too.”

Count Kyler in the camp that believes the Grizzlies should keep it simple, draft Morant and allow him the opportunity to develop alongside Jackson through some initial growing pains. Patience is required along such a path, and the Grizzlies would have a solid four-to-five-year window to build around that tandem while holding internal advantages with their rookie-scale contracts and potential extensions.

On the other hand, there’s a strong case to be made that Barrett is ready to plug and play at a position of immediate need within Memphis’ current makeup. Point guard Mike Conley, 31, is coming off his most productive season and has two years remaining on his contract. And Jonas Valanciunas, 27, holds an option to return next season after posting the most prolific scoring and rebounding stretch of his career once he arrived in Memphis following the February trade.

There’s plenty of potential in a Conley-Barrett backcourt with Kyle Anderson, Jackson and Valanciunas rounding out the likely starting five. In theory, it gives the Grizzlies a unit that could quickly return to the playoff mix after two straight finishes outside the postseason. With that core, Memphis would almost certainly convey next year’s top-six protected lottery pick to Boston to clear any remaining trade debts.

And Barrett stands out on his own merits, having done so since the time he dropped 33 points for Duke against Kentucky in his college debut. The 6-foot-7 elite scorer had six 30-point games last season and averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4.3 assists while shooting 45.4 percent from the field. The Canada native was a spotty three-point shooter at just 30.8 percent, but had some streaky moments with four games in which he’s drilled at least four from beyond the arc.

Barrett was considered the top draft prospect heading into his freshman season, but Williamson then exploded from the pack. Barrett proved he could be a team player and still establish himself as a dominant force alongside Williamson. And it was Barrett who kept Duke afloat once Williamson missed time late in the regular season with a knee injury.

“That’s what most of these guys in the NBA were thinking, that this was going to be the RJ Barrett draft,” said longtime college basketball analyst Jeff Goodman of WatchStadium.com. “But Zion was just so good right out of the gate for Duke and showed some things people really haven’t seen or have overlooked before, which were his skill level, his fire, his intensity and his ability to play hard all of the time.”

Ja Morant #12 of the Murray State Racers celebrates scoring at the end of the first half during the first round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament against the Marquette Golden Eagles at XL Center on March 21, 2019 in Hartford, Connecticut. Photo by Maddie Meyer via Getty Images.

Goodman has Morant rated ahead of Barrett and believes Morant can be a franchise-altering player who might have a better NBA impact than even Williamson. But from the Grizzlies’ vantage point, he also sees mitigating factors – looming decisions on the status of veterans on the roster – that could be key factors in the team’s ultimate direction at the draft.

The Grizzlies are in a unique position to weigh all angles and options; particularly should Barrett make a push in draft workouts for stronger consideration as the No. 2 pick. Memphis executives have watched the top prospects in person during the season and are working on visits to either bring some to Memphis or to monitor neutral-site draft workouts.

Glen Grunwald, who was promoted by the Grizzlies to a senior advisory role in the front office last month, had been an executive with the New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors. Last season, Grunwald was president and chief executive officer of Canada Basketball, which gives him keen insight on Barrett’s development in recent years as the next star prospect to come through the national program’s pipeline.

Brendan Suhr, who worked as a scout with the Knicks under Grunwald, told the New York Post that Barrett has can’t-miss upside entering the league.

“RJ has the potential to be as good a scoring guard as we’ve had come into the league in the last 10 years,” Suhr told the Post. “He’s very versatile, with a mentality to score. He’s dominated every level, dominated at the FIBA level. And he’s got great size. He’s a winner.”

With the Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers positioned to draft third and fourth next month, Barrett may prefer to land in one of the NBA’s larger markets. He hasn’t spoken publicly with the media since the May 14 Lottery order was set. Meanwhile, Morant, who played at mid-major Murray State and is from a small South Carolina town, has said he has no market preference entering the draft.

“Whatever team that drafts me – small market, big market, it doesn’t matter,” Morant said. “It would be the same (scenario). I’m going to be happy where I’m at.”

Less than a month out from the draft, the Grizzlies feel the same way about their options at No. 2.

There’s certainly no debate about that.

mikecheck-morant-or-barrett-or-will-debate-even-develop-in-grizz-draft-options-for-no-2-pick

MikeCheck: Morant or Barrett? Or will debate even develop in Grizz draft options for No. 2 pick?

CHICAGO – It was long after those four ping pong balls delivered the Grizzlies the No. 2 overall pick in that sequestered hotel ballroom, and long after Elliot Perry’s wide-eyed gaze from the stage an hour later on national TV registered the reality of that amazing moment in franchise history.

It was also long after the bright lights had dimmed, the production sets were dismantled and the young basketball stars and media in the room had vacated. The Chicago Hilton hotel staff was removing chairs and equipment while breaking down the massive room to signify the ending of a major event.

And it was then when the most subtle but perhaps vital scene unfolded for the Grizzlies.

It was then when Jaren Jackson Jr. sliced through a crowded lobby and into an emptying International Ballroom, embraced Jaren Jackson Sr. and then retreated to a quiet corner of the stage to sit with Zach Kleiman, the Grizzlies’ executive vice president of basketball operations.

Elliot Perry, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Zach Kleiman pose for a photo after receiving the second round pick in the NBA Draft Lottery at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery on May 14, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, IL.

“Hell yeah!” the 6-foot-11 Jackson yelled as he approached. “Did you see what pick we just got!”

Kleiman was taking a brief break from responding to the 115 text messages that bombarded his cellphone in the span of an hour. The two young and talented leaders of the franchise – 30-year-old Kleiman and 19-year-old Jackson – spoke at length about how the Grizzlies entered the lottery slotted eighth but emerged with the No. 2 pick.

But more importantly, Jackson Jr. and Kleiman talked about stepping into a bright future – together.

Kleiman’s message to Jackson at that moment was similar to one he shared earlier Tuesday night while sequestered in a different ballroom to observe the official lottery drawing alongside 13 other executives representing each team in the lottery.

“I’m thrilled for our organization, our fans and the city of Memphis that we have this second pick,” Kleiman said. “Having Jaren plus whatever we do with this No. 2 pick is a pretty exciting position to be in. This is a great outcome for us. We look forward to where this process takes us.”

The Grizzlies now pivot from the sheer euphoria of the lottery to the meticulous process of meetings, measurements and evaluations of the NBA Draft Combine the rest of the week in Chicago. With the Pelicans winning the lottery and the Grizzlies landing second, the NBA is positioned for its two smallest market teams to the make the top two selections in next month’s draft at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

David Griffin, the Pelicans president of basketball operations, tried to remain coy on national television about his team’s draft plans after the lottery results were broadcast. But an hour earlier, Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry provided plenty of comic relief to break the tension in the room.

When the Pelicans’ four-numbered sequence hit – 7, 4, 12, 13 – Gentry threw both hands skyward, exploded from his chair, yelled a few celebratory expletives and started to randomly high-five other team executives who were far less enthusiastic about NOT winning the lottery. Didn’t matter to Gentry.

Moments later, Gentry could barely keep a straight face as reporters in the sequestered room asked him whether the Pelicans would indeed use the No. 1 pick on consensus top draft prospect Zion Williamson.

“We’re going to talk as an organization and see what’s best -,” Gentry responded before breaking out of the sarcastically serious routine. “Yeah, right. You’re damn right we know. Before I sat down in here, I wrote down on my notepad ‘This Is Our Moment.’ And I said the only thing we need to decide is where we’ll celebrate, because we’re turning in a big receipt tonight (on our business expense report).”

For Gentry and the Pelicans, the initial lottery reaction was a feeling of redemption for the tenuous saga that unfolded last season with superstar forward Anthony Davis and his desire to leave New Orleans. As the night unfolded in the sequestered room, executives and select media learned the lottery results about an hour prior to the televised show but had to remain locked away until the end of the broadcast.

Some of the most entertaining banter came between Gentry and Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka as ESPN’s analysts were speculating whether the Lakers and Pelicans would re-engage in potential trade talks surrounding Davis.

Standing a few feet behind Pelinka in the room as everyone watched the broadcast, Gentry loudly scoffed at any mention of the Pelicans doing anything other than making a determined pitch to sell Davis on playing alongside Williamson moving forward.

NBA Draft Prospects Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish and RJ Barrett look on at the 2019 NBA Draft Lottery on May 14, 2019 at the Chicago Hilton in Chicago, IL. Photo by Jeff Haynes via Getty Images.

“You got that right, dammit,” Gentry shouted at one point as the room broke up in laughter, even generating an awkward turn and smirk from Pelinka.

Meanwhile, Kleiman’s designated seat for the Grizzlies was right next to Gentry’s on the second row in the room. Yet the approach and reaction from the two couldn’t have been more diametrically opposed. After Gentry’s celebratory strut up and down the aisle, the balls were reset to award the No. 2 pick in the random-but-weighted lottery.

Kleiman reached for his NBA pen and began circling a sequenced set of numbers assigned to the Grizzlies as the machine spit out each of the four ping pong balls 20 seconds apart.

The first number was 5. Then came a 7. Next was 10. And finally, a 12.

A league official matched the numbers to a large board posted along the wall, where 1,001 combinations of four-set numbers were assigned to specific teams, and then announced the result. 

“The Memphis Grizzlies!” the official confirmed to the room.

The normally stoic Kleiman nodded in approval, unleashed a brief smile and motioned with his left hand. The Grizzlies had just secured the No. 2 pick for the fifth time in the franchise’s draft history.

A year after Memphis entered the lottery seeded second but fell to the fourth pick, which was used on Jackson, it jumped six spots in the order from eighth to second. The Grizzlies entered with a 6.3-percent chance of landing the No. 2 pick, but a 26-percent shot to jump somewhere into the top four.

Lotto luck actually struck twice for the Grizzlies. After the Knicks landed the third overall pick on the next drawing, one of the Grizzlies' combinations came up again in the selection for the No. 4 pick. So Memphis technically hit the lottery twice. A fifth drawing was then made, and the Lakers ultimately landed in the fourth overall spot.

A month after being promoted to the lead role in day-to-day basketball operations, the lottery delivered Kleiman and the Grizzlies a major jolt in the midst of an offseason makeover. Having already reshaped the front office, the Grizzlies are also in the middle of a coaching search and could be headed for significant trade decisions, including settling on the immediate future of franchise leading scorer Mike Conley and the potential free agency of Jonas Valanciunas.

But the developments at the lottery put the Grizzlies in position to operate from a position of strength, with valuable assets and options. With the Pelicans strongly connected to Williamson, Memphis will have the chance to choose between the two other consensus top-three draft prospects in Murray State point guard Ja Morant and Duke swingman R.J. Barrett.

Theoretically, picking Morant would allow the Grizzlies to rekindle trade discussions for Conley and further restock the roster with young talent and picks that any deal for the 31-year-old catalyst would command. From a skillset dynamic, a Jackson-Morant pairing could be similar in potential to a young Kevin Garnett-Stephon Marbury tandem in Minnesota back in the day.

“Regardless where I go, I’m going to be the same Ja as I was before the lottery,” said Morant, a sophomore All-American who became the first player in NCAA history to average at least 20 points and 10 assists in a season. “I’m going to continue to work, and whichever team drafts me has obviously seen a lot in me, and I’ll be happy to go there. I’m just going to come in and try to make an immediate impact. Not just on the court, but off the court as well – being a positive role model to look up to.”

On the other hand, Barrett offers a Joe Johnson-type frame and game, which could make him the answer at shooting guard the Grizzlies have been seeking for years. A Conley-Barrett-Jackson-Valanciunas lineup offers enough intrigue to perhaps keep Conley and Valanciunas around to remain in playoff contention and to provide balance and veteran leadership.

Speaking of timing, many team executives and reps brought lucky trinkets or other items to the lottery. Kleiman pointed to a symbolic watch he wore Tuesday into the sequestered room.

It has a black leather band, with a personal inscription on the back side of the timepiece. The watch was a 2009 gift from Kleiman’s mother, Teri Zenner, who passed away five years ago from cancer.

Zenner was a corporate transactions lawyer in Chicago and was an inspiration for her son to pursue his career passion in law and basketball operations. Kleiman not only wears the watch in tribute to his mother, but also insists on his name including the middle initial 'Z.' (for Zenner) to carry on her legacy.

“This watch is all I’ve got,” Kleiman quietly and cautiously mentioned when asked after the lottery drawing if he carried any secret charms into the room. “To come back home, to have this (watch) and to be here for what just happened, it’s all obviously really special to me.”

Just one of many examples of how lottery night timing was everything for the Grizzlies.

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MikeCheck: Behind-the-scenes story of how timing and teamwork were everything as Grizzlies embraced No. 2 lottery pick

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2019 NBA Draft Lottery Photos

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CHICAGO – The fate of the Grizzlies franchise rests on the lucky bounces of a set of ping pong balls.

But the next seismic step the Grizzlies take in what is already shaping up as a major offseason makeover will come Tuesday night in a Chicago Hilton ballroom. That’s where the NBA Draft Lottery will determine the fate of 14 teams that hope to hit on longshot odds to land the top pick.

Count Memphis among those teams likely having Zion Williamson dreams, with the dynamic freshman forward from Duke emerging as the consensus No. 1 prospect entering the June 20 draft. As the countdown closes in on ESPN’s 7:30 p.m. announcement of lottery results in the network’s pregame show for Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, here are Grind City Media’s ‘Five Things To Know’ about the Grizzlies.

A month after being promoted to Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations, 30-year-old Zach Kleiman returns to his hometown for his biggest day on the job yet. Kleiman will represent the Grizzlies among a group of executives from each lottery team and a panel of 11 national and veteran NBA reporters sequestered in a separate Hilton ballroom. That’s where the actual drawing for the first four picks will be determined about an hour before the national broadcast.

It’s been a busy month for Kleiman, who is working with team president Jason Wexler in the midst of a coaching search that – for at least a few hours – will be put on hold as the front-office shifts its focus to the Windy City. Kleiman will be joined in Chicago for this week’s lottery and NBA Combine by other Grizzlies front-office executives, including Tayshaun Prince, Rich Cho and Chris Makris.

“It’s understood completely out of the gate that I’m not going to get any credit, any respect, or anything until we work through and prove what we’re capable of,” Kleiman said last month of assuming the day-to-day role of running basketball operations. “It’s absolutely different when you’re empowered, put in that position and you actually have the ability to shape things and do them the right way.”

Slotted eighth entering the random-but-weighted lottery, the Grizzlies have a 6-percent chance at the No. 1 overall pick, a 6.3-percent shot at No. 2 and a 26.2-percent shot to land somewhere in the top four. Williamson, Murray State point guard Ja Morant, Duke swingman R.J. Barrett and Texas Tech’s guard Jarrett Culver are considered the top four prospects should they remain in the draft as expected.  

The Grizzlies are one of five NBA teams to never land the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Memphis is unable to finish fifth, sixth or seventh in Tuesday’s lottery. From there, the Grizzlies have a 31.2-percent chance to maintain their standing in the eighth spot in the order and a 42.6-percent shot to land ninth, 10th or 11th in the order. Should the Grizzlies fall to ninth, 10th or 11th, their first-round pick will be conveyed to Boston to complete a 2015 trade in which Memphis acquired Jeff Green from the Celtics.

The Grizzlies also currently do not possess a second-round pick in this year’s draft after trading it as part of a deal with Chicago in January to acquire Justin Holliday, who will be a free-agent in July.

Minority Owner and Director of Player Support, Elliot Perry represents the Memphis Grizzlies during the NBA Draft Lottery on May 15, 2018 at The Palmer House Hilton in Chicago, IL. Photo by Gary Dineen via Getty Images.

For the second straight year, Grizzlies minority owner Elliot Perry will represent the franchise on the Draft Lottery set for the nationally televised portion of the event.

A Memphis native, Perry starred for the Memphis Tigers and spent time near the end of his decade-long NBA playing career with the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies entered last year’s lottery slotted second, but came away with the fourth pick, which was used a month later on Jaren Jackson Jr., a first team All-Rookie candidate.

Perry will be one of six current or former NBA players representing teams on the stage at Tuesday’s lottery, along with Patrick Ewing (Knicks), Alonzo Mourning (Heat), Kyle Kuzma (Lakers), Deandre Ayton (Suns) and Horace Grant (Bulls). Two current coaches will also be on stage, with Alvin Gentry representing the Pelicans and James Borrego sitting in for the Hornets.

Last year, the first three times numbers were drawn to determine which team landed the No. 1 pick, Phoenix’s combinations came up each time. So it seemed the Suns were destined for the top pick in the draft after entering with the highest odds – then 25-percent – to win the lottery and draft Ayton.

But this year, a new rules change takes effect that flattened out the odds among the three teams that finished with the worst regular-season records. The Suns, Knicks and Cavaliers each has a 14-percent chance at the No. 1 pick on Tuesday. As mentioned previously, the Grizzlies are currently slotted eighth.

Over the past five years, no team slotted eighth entering the lottery emerged with a higher (better) position than what they had going into the proceedings. Three teams in the last four lotteries maintained their spot in eighth. Cleveland entered and exited at No. 8 at last year’s lottery and went on to draft point guard Collin Sexton a month later.

Regardless of Tuesday’s outcome, at least part of the Grizzlies’ front-office contingent is likely to remain in Chicago to conduct player interviews and monitor the NBA Draft Combine, which starts Wednesday and includes public workouts Thursday and Friday.

With the majority of the Grizzlies roster comprised of players either set to enter free agency this summer or entering the final year on their contracts, Memphis could be active in the trade market. The Grizzlies could either deal their way back into the June draft, or set up moves that could land the team young players in exchange for veterans moving forward.

The outcome of Tuesday’s lottery could also have at least some impact on the Grizzlies’ coaching search as well as looming decisions on potential dealings with veterans Mike Conley and Jonas Valanciunas. Memphis fielded trade offers for Conley at the February deadline, but opted to keep the franchise’s career leading scorer. Conley has two seasons remaining on his contract, while Valanciunas is facing a mid-June decision to either opt into the final year of his deal or opt out to test free agency this summer.

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MikeCheck: 5 Things to Know as Grizzlies Enter Tuesday’s NBA Draft Lottery

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