The Memphis Grizzlies have a 23-41 record this season and they are on the verge of landing another Top 10 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. With Memphis rebuilding, there is a chance that they could trade more players in the offseason.
One player who was not traded at the deadline was point guard Ja Morant. He has been with the Grizzlies since the 2019-2020 NBA season. Morant is 26 years old and was the second overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
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This season, he has only appeared in 20 games. Morant is averaging 19.5 PPG, 3.3 APG, and 8.1 APG. He is currently sidelined with an elbow injury. After the 2025-2026 NBA season, Morant will have two years remaining on his contract. Is there a chance that they could find his future replacement this offseason?
Memphis Grizzlies Find Ja Morant Replacement in Latest 2026 NBA Mock Draft
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12).Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
(Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
It is very likely that Morant will not be with the Grizzlies organization much longer. They are going to need to find a point guard of the future in Memphis, Tennessee. In the latest 2026 NBA mock draft, Adam Finkelstein of CBS Sports has the Grizzlies selecting Darius Acuff Jr. with the eighth overall pick.
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He was the SEC Freshman of the Year and also the SEC Player of the Year with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Finkelstein said about this potential pick for Memphis, “With Ja Morant’s days in Memphis likely numbered, the Grizzlies are going to need a future point guard to add to their young core of Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, Cam Spencer, and others. Acuff has been arguably the best point guard in college basketball this year with the most polished offensive game as a creator, shot-maker, and distributor.”
Acuff is 6’3″ and weighs 190 lbs. He averaged 22.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 6.4 APG, along with shooting 49.3% from the field. Acuff could be one of many freshmen who will be drafted in the top 10 in the 2026 NBA Draft. He would no doubt be the future at point guard for Memphis. Another team that could be looking for a point guard of the future is the Dallas Mavericks.
The Grizzlies also have a 2026 first-round pick from the Orlando Magic because of the Desmond Bane trade. Memphis has a chance to build its core for the future in this draft starting with Acuff potentially.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 12, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.