What does a perfect NBA Draft Night look like for the Memphis Grizzlies?
The best-case scenario for the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2026 NBA Draft isn't just about landing a star — it's about orchestrating a seismic roster transformation through bold trades and strategic drafting. Host Joe Mullinax envisions a night where Memphis trades Ja Morant and multiple picks to the Sacramento Kings for the No. 7 pick and Zach Levine, then uses a traded player exception to acquire Isaiah Hartenstein from Oklahoma City. This haul would bring in Cam Boozer, Braden Burries, and Xo Lendenborg — three elite, proven winners — while clearing nearly $90 million in expiring contracts for 2027. The result? A young, flexible core with championship upside and the financial freedom to build around a new era. Mullinax argues that while this scenario is wildly optimistic, it’s the only way to truly move on from the Morant era and reset the franchise. He also makes a compelling case that Gigi Jackson, often criticized, could finally thrive as a starter if given the right role — not as a facilitator, but as a high-impact scorer alongside a point-forward like Boozer. The episode is a masterclass in speculative roster engineering, blending realism with ambition. Mullinax doesn’t just dream — he builds a financial and personnel framework that makes the fantasy feel plausible. He challenges the idea that staying at No. 16 is safe, arguing instead that the Grizzlies must go all-in on upside swings.
Trade Ja Morant and multiple picks to the Kings for the No. 7 pick and Zach Levine to clear $90M in expiring contracts by 2027.
Use the traded player exception to acquire Isaiah Hartenstein from OKC in exchange for future second-round picks.
Draft Cam Boozer at No. 3, Braden Burries at No. 7, and Xo Lendenborg at No. 20 to build a young, proven winner core.
Reposition Gigi Jackson as a starter at the three, not as a facilitator, but as a high-volume scorer alongside Boozer and Ty Jerome.
The Grizzlies must prioritize upside swings at No. 16 — not safe picks — to maximize development potential and roster flexibility.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Best Case Scenario: A Franchise Reset
“You're dreaming. But the dream had to have a ceiling. And to me, the reality of the John Morant era ending in Memphis is even a dream can't necessarily defeat that.”
The Trade Architecture: How to Move On from Morant
Mullinax details the mechanics of a hypothetical trade with the Kings: sending Morant, picks 16 and 32, and the 2027 Lakers first-round pick in exchange for Levine and the No. 7 pick, using the TPE to add Hartenstein.
The Draft Picks: Boozer, Burries, and Lendenborg
“The guy literally was just a key component, arguably the MVP of the season that led Michigan to the national title.”
The Case for Gigi Jackson as a Starter
“Maybe the answer to one of these questions is already on the roster if he's just given the right kind of opportunity.”
Upside Swings at No. 16: Pete, Quaintance, and the Risk of Safety
Mullinax challenges the idea of playing it safe at No. 16, arguing for upside swings like Koa Pete and Jaden Quaintance, despite their flaws, due to their youth and potential.
“You're dreaming. But the dream had to have a ceiling. And to me, the reality of the John Morant era ending in Memphis is even a dream can't necessarily defeat that.”
“The guy literally was just a key component, arguably the MVP of the season that led Michigan to the national title.”
“Maybe the answer to one of these questions is already on the roster if he's just given the right kind of opportunity.”
Host
Gigi Jackson
person
Cam Boozer
person
Ja Morant
person
Joe Mullinax
person
Zach Levine
person
Braden Burries
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DeMichael Cole
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Isaiah Hartenstein
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Xo Lendenborg
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Sacramento Kings
organization
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