Though second-round rookie wing Emoni Bates was scooped up by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 49 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, he recently admitted that he had a desire to become a member of the Memphis Grizzlies.
Following the Cavs’ 100-77 Summer League win over the Grizz on July 10, a contest in which he scored 21 points on 63.6 percent shooting from the floor and 62.5 percent shooting from deep, the former Eastern Michigan standout reflected on his draft journey and acknowledged that his relationship with superstar guard Ja Morant “definitely” made him interested in starting his professional career in Grind City.