Grizzlies Sign Former Duke First-Round Pick to 10-Day Contract

Dariq Whitehead looks to revive career with Memphis audition

Apr. 3, 2026 at 4:26am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the abstracted forms of basketball players in motion, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette representing the Grizzlies' search for young talent to rebuild their roster.The Grizzlies' youth movement continues as the team evaluates young talent like Dariq Whitehead to build a new foundation for the future.Oklahoma City Today

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed former Brooklyn Nets first-round pick Dariq Whitehead to a 10-day contract, giving the 21-year-old guard an opportunity to showcase his skills and potentially earn a spot on the team's roster for next season. Whitehead has spent the 2025-26 season in the G-League with the Oklahoma City Thunder's affiliate, the Blue, where he has struggled, averaging 10.9 points per game on 36.6% shooting.

Why it matters

With the Grizzlies' season all but lost, the team is focusing on evaluating young players who could be part of their future plans. Whitehead, a former highly-touted prospect, represents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for the Grizzlies as they look to rebuild their roster around Ja Morant, who may be on his way out of Memphis.

The details

The Grizzlies are giving Whitehead a 10-day contract, allowing them to take a closer look at the young guard and see if he can be a potential fit for their roster next season. Whitehead has struggled in the G-League this year, but the Grizzlies are hoping they can help him get his career back on track.

  • Whitehead has spent the entirety of the 2025-26 season thus far in the G-League with the Oklahoma City Thunder's affiliate team, the Blue.

The players

Dariq Whitehead

A 21-year-old guard who was a former first-round pick of the Brooklyn Nets out of Duke University. He has spent the 2025-26 season in the G-League with the Oklahoma City Thunder's affiliate team.

Ja Morant

The star point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, who may be on his way out of the team as they look to rebuild their roster.

Jaren Jackson Jr.

A key player for the Grizzlies who has joined Desmond Bane in leaving the team, as Memphis looks to rebuild from the ground up.

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What they’re saying

“The Grizzlies are holding an audition for players, including Dariq Whitehead, who could possibly stick with the team for next season.”

— Jedd Pagaduan, Author

What’s next

The Grizzlies will evaluate Whitehead's performance during his 10-day contract and decide whether to keep him on the roster for next season.

The takeaway

The Grizzlies' decision to sign Dariq Whitehead to a 10-day contract is part of their larger youth movement, as the team looks to rebuild its roster around young talent and move on from the Ja Morant era. Whitehead represents a low-risk, high-reward opportunity for the Grizzlies as they evaluate players who could be part of their future plans.