Ja Morant
AP Photo

It looks like the Memphis Grizzlies are set on taking Ja Morant, ending any chance he winds up with the New York Knicks.

It looks like the New York Knicks won’t have the opportunity to draft Ja Morant this summer. According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, the Memphis Grizzlies are “locked in on” Morant with the No. 2 pick.

That means that the Knicks will miss out on Morant and Zion Williamson. The Duke product was a household name from the moment he stepped on campus in Durham.

Morant rose to stardom at mid-major Murray State. The sophomore flew up draft boards as soon as the season began. Now he finds himself as the presumptive No. 2 overall pick in the NBA Draft. Watching Morant and Williamson develop into stars is going to be painful for Knicks fans.

However, R.J. Barrett is much more than a consolation prize. Barrett is still a cut above the rest of the prospects in this draft class (excluding Williamson and Morant). He should be a perfect fit in New York if that’s the way the Knicks decide to go.

General manager Scott Perry and team president Steve Mills will certainly do their due diligence on the rest of the prospects in the draft. Although Barrett appears to be the likely pick at No. 3, it’s possible that the Knicks fall in love with someone else like Jarrett Culver or even Cam Reddish.

Furthermore, Anthony Davis still wants out of New Orleans and the No. 3 pick in the draft would certainly be included in any deal between the Knicks and Pelicans.

 
NY/NJ hoops reporter (NBA/NCAA) & sports betting writer for XL Media. Never had the makings of a varsity athlete.