2019 NBA Draft: Full Mock Draft 3.0, Atlanta Hawks Pick #8 & #10 After Lottery

#2. Memphis Grizzlies — Ja Morant

Another team that shocked the world on 2019 NBA Draft Lottery night was the Memphis Grizzlies, who had only a 6.3 percent chance at drafting #2 overall.

Because the Grizz moved up into the Top 8, their obligations to the Boston Celtics get rolled over to next season, when the team’s draft pick will be Top 6 protected. After that, the pick is unprotected, which means it will get conveyed then no matter what.

For this article, though, the Grizz are likely elated that they popped up six spots on the draft board – allowing the team to ponder the inclusion of every single (non-Zion) 2019 NBA Draft prospect. Which way will Memphis go?

With Mike Conley trade rumors in full swing since last offseason, it seems likely that a deal will finally get done for the excellent veteran point guard this offseason or at the trade deadline, meaning that taking a long-term ballhandler is by the far the best choice for the team. As the top point guard on the board and a consensus top-3 pick, Ja Morant should be the Grizzlies’ choice at #2 overall.

A brilliant scorer and passer with some truly electric finishes, Morant would usher in a new era for the Grizzlies – finally putting to bed the engaging, but rather stuffy, “grit and grind” era of the early 2010s. Combined with Jaren Jackson Jr., Morant would lead a retooled a Grizzlies team into the future.