Can the Memphis Grizzlies trade into top 10 of 2026 NBA Draft?

The Memphis Grizzlies are at a pivotal crossroads in the 2026 NBA Draft, with host Joe Mullinax and beat writer Michael Cole debating whether the team can trade up into the top 10—specifically to land the No. 5 pick for Darius Acuff. While LeBron James and Draymond Green continue to criticize the Grizzlies, particularly over hotel accommodations and perceived tanking, the duo shifts focus to bold trade strategies. Cole proposes a high-stakes deal: trading John Morant, a 2027 unprotected first, and a protected 2029 pick to the Clippers for the No. 5 pick, Zach Levine, and future draft capital. Mullinax counters with a Kings trade that swaps Morant and a 2027 first for the No. 7 pick. Both trades hinge on sacrificing long-term draft flexibility for elite talent. The episode culminates in a fun celebrity row draft, where Cole picks Morgan Freeman, Glorilla, and Penny Hardaway, while Mullinax selects Justin Timberlake, Jerry the King Lawler, and the 3-6 Mafia—highlighting Memphis’s deep cultural roots. The conversation underscores the tension between short-term ambition and long-term sustainability in a rebuilding franchise. The episode reveals that the Grizzlies are uniquely cautious in player outreach—evidenced by their lack of contact with Zach Eadie pre-draft—suggesting a secretive, internally driven process. Despite external noise from NBA legends, the real focus remains on strategic draft capital management. The core takeaway?