MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Memphis Grizzlies have a talented young heart that they are determined to keep together, and used the 2021-22 options to manage NBA Rookie of the Year Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke and Grayson Allen.
The Grizzlies announced the moves Wednesday night.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 version out of Murray State, Morant was the near-unanimous pick as the premier rookie and unanimous pick for the NBA All-Rookie team. He led the team with 17.8 points per game in starting 67 games last season.
The fourth overall pick in 2018, Jackson averaged 15.5 points in 113 starts over two seasons. He was on the 2018-19 NBA All-Rookie team, and Jackson scored 17.4 game points in his second season while blocking 1.61 shooting a game. He scored 43 career-level points on Dec. 13, 2019, against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Clarke joined Morant on the first NBA All-Rookie team after averaging 12.1 points and 5.9 rebounds. He shot an NBA-61.8% best rookie off the floor.
Allen shot at 40.4% from a 3-point range last season in his first campaign with the Grizzlies.