Report: RJ Barrett declining to work out for Grizzlies
Projected top NBA draft pick RJ Barrett is reportedly avoiding the workout requests from one team that has some interest in him.
According to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, the Memphis Grizzlies, who hold the No. 2 overall pick, have sought to bring Barrett in for a private workout. Barrett, however, has declined, though he may ultimately change his mind before the draft takes place.
Memphis is thought to prefer Ja Morant with the No. 2 pick, but are clearly assessing their options anyway. Barrett, however, would reportedly prefer to avoid Memphis, with the Knicks — and the opportunity to play in New York — lurking just one pick later.
While there is fundamentally not a lot Barrett could do to avoid getting selected by Memphis, throwing up obstacles in their attempts to work him out is one way he could try to make the Grizzlies sour on him a bit, assuming they didn’t already prefer someone else.
