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In Memphis, Ja Morant was once the superstar whose uncertain future we analyzed at every turn. And then, somewhere along the line, the noise around him went quiet. Yet league sources say the Grizzlies are hopeful that Morant will be some team’s Plan B when the dust settles on Antetokounmpo’s situation. The Heat, in particular, have long been known to have serious interest in the 26-year-old, two-time All-Star. The thinking, it seems, is that Miami’s potential package might reset the market that has otherwise been extremely soft for Morant.
Sam Amick on Ja Morant: "The only two teams I have heard and I will pick one of them is New Orleans and Sacramento. I will probably push it the New Orleans way."
Shams Charania: Memphis Grizzlies guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is exercising his $21.6 million player option for the 2026-27 season, sources tell ESPN.
Lou Williams: I’m going to throw some names out there and you give me your guess on where they'll be next year. All right? Sam Amick: Yes, sir. Williams: Let's start with Ja Morant. Amick: Ja Morant, I mean, the only two teams I've heard and I'll pick one of them is New Orleans and Sacramento, so I'll probably push it to New Orleans way. Chandler Parsons: I'm going to throw Minnesota out there just for fun. Chandler Parsons: I'm going to throw Minnesota out there just for fun. Amick: Yeah, that one's in there, too. Good call, Chandler.
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In addition, the Hawks hope to retain center Landale in free agency. Landale spent this past season with the Memphis Grizzlies and Hawks, averaging career-highs in points (10.6), rebounds (5.7), and minutes (22.1), while shooting an efficient 51.5 percent from the field and 38.3 percent beyond the arc. Numerous teams are expected to express interest in the 30-year-old center.
Though Thibodeau didn’t respond to The Athletic’s message seeking comment, one of his favorite players, Taj Gibson, told SiriusXM NBA Radio that he had spoken to the coach and that “he didn’t have any kind of malice in his heart. He didn’t have any kind of hatred. He was so happy for the guys. He was just really so proud of the guys and what they accomplished.”
Elliot Clough: Bennett Stirtz tells me he will be attending the NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York next Tuesday. Coach Ben McCollum will join Stirtz and his family in the green room. So far, Stirtz has worked out with the following teams: Charlotte Hornets Chicago Bulls Dallas Mavericks Memphis Grizzlies Oklahoma City Thunder Toronto Raptors He'll also workout for the Golden State Warriors prior to the draft.
Elliot Clough: NEW: Bennett Stirtz tells me he will be attending the NBA Draft at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York next Tuesday. Coach Ben McCollum will join Stirtz and his family in the green room. So far, Stirtz has worked out with the following teams: Charlotte Hornets, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Oklahoma City Thunder, Toronto Raptors. He'll also workout for the Golden State Warriors prior to the draft.
Damichael Cole: Forward Baba Miller is in Memphis. Projected to go early in the second round
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Among the most interesting outcomes that will affect the rest of the NBA will be how an expansion draft is structured -- the last time was in 2004, and it was for just one team, the Charlotte Bobcats. At that time, teams were able to protect eight players and lose only one. There is also the question of how the league will realign the conferences. Different possibilities are being discussed, including moving one team from the Western Conference to the East -- with Memphis, Minnesota and New Orleans all "competing" to do so.
I've been told by various sources that — in addition to the LA Clippers' Kawhi Leonard and Memphis' Ja Morant — Wizards point guard Trae Young has emerged as another "big fish" backup option for the Miami Heat in the event that Boston, Portland or some other team manages to outbid Pat Riley and Co. in the trade chase for Antetokounmpo.
Dybantsa is the projected No. 1 pick and will visit both the Wizards and Jazz next week. Typically, teams bring in their top option as close to the draft as possible to leave a lasting good impression and to prevent leaks from within the organization or on the player’s side. Dybantsa will only meet with the top two teams and will not travel to Memphis (third pick) or Chicago (fourth pick).
Greater Memphis Chamber Interim President and CEO Duncan Williams recently said the Memphis Grizzlies are here to stay for "multiple decades" to come. During the annual Mid-Year Chairman's Forum June 9 at The Guest House at Graceland in Memphis, Williams relayed the "message" from his June 9 meeting with Grizzlies leadership, which he said included team president Jason Wexler. "The message is this, it's not a matter of if they are going to sign, it's when. It's I's and T's at this point, people," Williams said. "They are doing so much work at the FedExForum right now. When y'all see these plans of what our Downtown is going to look like in the next decade, it's going to blow your mind."