It’s an open secret around the NBA that the Memphis Grizzlies are preparing for life without Ja Morant. And with the draft less than a week away, the franchise is quietly mapping out a plan that could reshape its backcourt for the next decade.
The Grizzlies hold the No. 3 and No. 16 picks in the first round, and while names like Cameron Boozer are circulating at the top, the real action — according to league insiders — may begin later in the lottery.
A familiar pattern of aggression
General manager Zach Kleiman has never been shy about moving around the draft board. Last year, Memphis traded up from No. 16 to No. 11 to grab Cedric Coward. This season, multiple front-office sources suggest the Grizzlies are exploring a similar leap forward.
According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, several guards in the latter half of the lottery are drawing serious interest from Memphis. If a target like Jeremiah Flemings slips past Atlanta at No. 8, the Grizzlies could be among the first teams to phone in a trade offer.
“If Flemings were to fall past the Hawks with the eighth pick, the Grizzlies would be one of the many teams interested in moving up for him,” Siegel reported. He added that guards Christian Anderson Jr., Derrion Philon, and Ebuka Okorie have all maintained strong ties with Memphis throughout the pre-draft process.
The Morant factor
While the team has not confirmed any trade talks involving their star point guard, the writing has been on the wall for months. Off-court incidents, a tarnished public image, and whispers of a strained relationship with the front office have fueled speculation that Morant’s time in Tennessee is nearing an end.
That makes this draft pivot more than just a typical roster refresh — it’s a franchise reset. The Grizzlies need a guard who can step into a leading role sooner rather than later, and finding that player in the top 10 of a deep draft class gives them options they wouldn’t have outside the lottery.
Who fits?
If Memphis stays put at No. 16, Okorie, Anderson, or Philon would all be solid additions — but none offers the same star upside as a lottery-level prospect. Each of those guards brings different strengths: Okorie’s length and two-way potential, Anderson’s scoring instincts, and Philon’s playmaking polish. But the Grizzlies know they need more than a complementary piece.
A move into the top 10 would give them a chance to grab a player who could anchor the backcourt for years, not just fill a rotation slot. And with Kleiman’s track record of aggressive draft-day moves, it would be surprising if Memphis didn’t at least make the calls.
The next week will tell the story. If the Grizzlies land their guy in the lottery, the post-Morant era might kick off earlier than anyone expected.
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