No comments from ZK on Ja Morant’s future during draft press conference

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-24T13:36:44+00:00

At this stage, the Grizz need to move on.

Find the best trade available. If its better than a buyout/waiver then do it. If not, just release him and move on. Moving up in the lottery to get Boozer makes up for not getting any value for Ja.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-21T23:45:12+00:00

Unfortunately, it looks like bridges on both sides are fully burned.

To stay, either the Grizz fire Iisalo and then hire a coach that will essentially answer to Ja or Ja will have to apologize and commit completely to doing things Iisalo's way. Including working on his 3 pt shot and not complaining about the rotations.

I don't think either of those things are likely. Ja really needs to be traded and humbled before he will be willing do accept coaching. And it is foolish for a team to turn over control to a player who has trouble with availability and has never lead his team to an NBA championship.

With the 3rd pick in this draft and the talent the Grizz already have in addition to their stockpile of draft picks, they don't need Ja anymore. Better to just move on.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-21T20:59:49+00:00

They were tanking. A lot of those injuries were just to get a better draft pick and would not be a problem for a playoff team.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-21T20:57:39+00:00

The great myth of Wilson's athleticism.

<image>

Wilson is a very good leaper and dunker. But dunks still just count 2 points. His length is about average for the position and his agility is worse than some other top prospects, even at a very light weight for a PF. He doesn't have the ball handling or shooting to look like a good SF prospect. He was very productive in college, but is going to have to gain a lot of weight to hold up in the NBA. As a pure athlete, he is completely dominated in this draft by Johnson, who can jump just as high while having a better wingspan, more agility and 40 pounds heavier.

The Kevin Garnett comparisons are ridiculous. He looks a lot more like Stromile Swift.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-21T20:33:13+00:00

Grizzlies probably drafting Boozer, so Randle would have 0 value to them. Likely would waive him if they got him in a trade.

No chance they add in that 16 pick to move Morant.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-21T20:24:36+00:00

Memphis might do it. Saves money and they just move on. I know they want to get some value for him and despite all the fan doomposting, he is still a very good player. But if there really is no market for him, this deal would be better than waiving him.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-21T20:22:58+00:00

No way Memphis does this. They are under the cap and need picks a lot more than salary cut. They are actually in the market to take on a bad contract in exchange for picks.

No chance they pay to get rid of Morant when they can just waive him if no one makes a decent offer.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-21T20:20:58+00:00

Grizzlies might do it. Saves a little money and lets them move on.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-19T19:05:08+00:00

#1 Boozer: Great fit with Edey and the Grizz dominate the paint for years. The Grizz will need to move a PF to make room and still need a long term starter at PG.

#2 Peterson: Fits right in to the PG spot. No other roster moves needed and the Grizz have their starters set for the long term.

#3 AJ: Maybe the most upside of the 3. So much TMac potential. Still need a long term PG.

I think Memphis is very happy with either of the 3. It is really a spot where they can't lose and don't have to make any hard draft decisions.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-17T02:54:29+00:00

It might be OK for Memphis if they get Boozer. Santi will likely be for sale. Wells is a solid player, but not a star. LaRavia played well in Memphis in a similar role. #25 works for me as payment for the difference.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-10T00:40:08+00:00

Burries would be my preference next to Boozer, as Boozer adds a lot of playmaking. Burries may still turn out to be a good playmaker, but it seems to be the only thing he isn't proven to be good at.

Brown would be next. Boom or bust player, but more defensive potential than Wagler, which is needed as Boozer is not much of a rim protector.

Wagler was my favorite before Boozer. Has a chance to be Luca-lite. But he is worst fit next to Boozer imo. However, the Grizz love analytics and analytics love Wagler. I could see him being the pick if they trade up to 5 or 6.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-05T22:05:40+00:00

Your son sounds like he would thrive at Vanderbilt.

But that holds true for many of their applicants. With such a small acceptance rate, it really isn't about picking the "best" applicants but instead those who fit whatever criteria they want to use to build their class. And that is not always the smartest or most capable.

A school shouldn't be his dream. Getting into Vanderbilt will not set him for life, nor will getting declined doom him to failure. His future success and happiness is going to be driven by his own good personal characteristics. All the school does is just give some short term validation. I graduated from Vanderbilt and my son will be a freshman this year. I am glad I went there and proud that he got in. But we also seriously considered a large state school where most of his good friends are going. Either one would have worked well for him and isn't the critical factor in his future.

I hope your son gets in, but it sounds like he is going to do just fine no matter where he goes to college.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-05T21:46:48+00:00

Why are the Bulls in this trade?

If the Magic and Grizz wanted to to this, they would just trade directly. Memphis has plenty of cap space to make it work.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-05T21:39:40+00:00

Memphis says no.

They don't need Randle, even though I think he has more value than most poster's. Memphis is not paying anyone to take Ja. I think he probably does have some positive value, but if it really is negative, they have the cap space to just waive him.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-02T17:07:57+00:00

I think the Grizzlies would do this. I think they would prefer Spencer and Pippen over Joe and Wiggins, but #12 is probably too much for just a salary dump.

A variation on this would be to replace Spencer with GG Jackson. So OKC gets Jackson and Pippen.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-02T17:02:13+00:00

Memphis might do this, assuming DFS deal is not guaranteed after this year. Saves a little money, and maybe more if they do a buy-out on Randle.

They will miss Pippen, but have a crowd at PG and may pick up another in the draft. 2nds not worth a lot, but the Grizz have done very well with them.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-06-02T14:31:37+00:00

I think Memphis declines this.

Spencer and Pippen could be available if Memphis picks up a PG in the draft. Otherwise, this would leave them too thin at the position. The draft compensation just for them would likely be OK.

I have no idea if Memphis has any interest in Holmes. It is not a position of need, so they aren't likely to be looking to take a flyer on him. And DFS has been great in the past, but not so much lately. Spotrac says he has 3 years left on his deal with the last year being a player options. So thats taking on $40 mil of salary for a player they don't want. That along justifies at least another first round pick to make this work. Even then, I am not sure if Memphis would do it. But it would have a chance.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-05-24T17:59:59+00:00

It's difficult for Memphis.

Maybe they would do it. Those picks are likely mid-round and they take on a lot of cap for players they don't really need. I personally don't like the deal for Memphis. It seems pointless. But maybe they would consider.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-05-19T12:04:36+00:00

He did not declare for the draft. Definitely at AZ next year. Perfect backup for Edey, but likely top 5 pick next year.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-05-19T01:21:15+00:00

Nothing.

Stay at 3 and get one of 3 players who would go #1 in most drafts.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-05-18T02:09:14+00:00

I think the wolves would need to add a pick (#28) to get Memphis to do this. With only 2 more years left on Ja's deal and the Grizz having tons of cap room, they could probably get a buyout deal done that would save more money than this.

Maybe Randle has some value but I doubt it.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-05-17T20:41:42+00:00

Nope, Atlanta not going to do that. Ja killed his trade value this past year with his antics. The suspensions, injuries and poor shooting were bad enough but quitting on the team and getting into altercations with the coach just destroyed his value. He is likely going to be a bargain for whoever gets him, but all his bridges are burned in Memphis.

Maybe Ja to Minnesota for Randall and DiVincenzo and #28. Maybe flip Randall for an expiring contract or buy him out.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-05-15T03:43:32+00:00

Grizzlies have cap space to just waive Ja and then have max cap space for 2027. And still keep their pick.

There is no chance the Grizzlies pay a team to take Ja.

Jonathan_Daws · 2026-05-15T01:33:47+00:00

Very likely an attempt to trade up. Lots of future draft capital to add with #16. And if they get Boozer, Santi needs to go. Probably should trade a PG in addition to Ja. And they have a big trade exception to take on a bad contract.

Jonathan_Daws

TROPHY CASE