Back in May, it was reported that the Memphis Grizzlies would be selecting Ja Morant with the No. 2 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and are informing anybody willing to listen of their plans.
That means former Duke star R.J. Barrett just might be headed to New York with the Knicks with the 3rd selection. Barrett seems to know what the outcome will be of his future and he seems dead set on sticking with it, even if it means shunning the team picking ahead of the Knicks.
Via Yahoo Sports:
The Grizzlies’ ownership group is still telling people around the league the team is locked in on Morant, but the front office has requested to have Barrett in for a private workout — something he has declined but might revisit over the next three weeks, sources told ESPN.
Barrett is scheduled to work out for New York on June 10. As I reported from the combine: Although sources say Barrett would be excited about landing in New York, the Knicks planned to do their due diligence by making calls on trade options and evaluating other prospects in the top 10.
New York has explored the possibility of trading back in the lottery, sources told ESPN, perhaps to acquire pieces that better complement potential high-volume All-Star free agents (such as Kevin Durant or Kyrie Irving). Trading the No. 3 pick for the Atlanta Hawks’ two first-rounders (Nos. 8 and 10) is under consideration by the Knicks, one source said.
Both franchises might both be losers currently, but if you gave somebody the option of playing in Memphis or New York, they are going to choose NY in Madison Square Garden every single time.
I don’t blame Barrett one bit for turning down a workout, especially since the reports already have the Grizzlies making their minds already. Anything could go wrong in that workout.
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