The Memphis Grizzlies are likely to select guard Ja Morant in next month's NBA draft as predicted. According to reports, the Grizzlies management has already considered other players in the league. Staff revealed their plans.

If things change and Morant falls to the third or fourth pick, whether he goes to New York or Los Angeles, Morant will be on a team in a big market that is much bigger than Memphis. Play ball. The two largest cities in the United States are attractive to many players in the league, especially young players. But Morant insists he has no personal preference for big or small cities.

Interestingly, 20 years ago, in 1999, the Grizzlies also held the second pick, and they also took a fancy to a powerful guard named Steve Francis. However, the Grizzlies, who were still in Vancouver at that time, were rejected by Francis and could only trade him to the Rockets.

But this time, the Grizzlies are interested in Morant, but he is not a person who likes big cities. His personality is more down-to-earth and down-to-earth. Perhaps, this time the Grizzlies will select a future leader who can rebuild with the team in a down-to-earth manner. Compared with the popular Zion, Morant, who is 6 feet 3 inches tall (approximately 1.91 meters), is perfectly suitable for a point guard and may be able to adapt to the rhythm of the NBA more quickly.

Perhaps for Morant, no matter joining any team, it means coming to a bigger city. The 19-year-old was born in Dalzell, South Carolina, which has a population of less than 2,500 people. His alma mater, Murray State University, is located in Murray, Kentucky, with a population of less than 20,000 people and even more than 11,000 students in the school.

In the future, this city, which is only a three-hour drive from his current school, is likely to become Morant's second hometown. But how much does Morant know about Memphis? He admitted that he didn't know much about this place.

No matter how you look at it, Morant is the best candidate after Zion Williamson. In the season that just ended, Morant averaged 24.5 points, 10 assists, and 5.7 rebounds per game, leading the team to the second round of the NCAA Top 32. Judging from the temperament of the game, Morant has the style of a general (chasing his first triple-double in the tournament after Dreaming Green) and a killer (defeating Jacksonville University). He is the cornerstone of the point guard around whom the team can be built.

Text/Lilliard