Memphis Grizzlies: Stop talking about this tanking nonsense

It’s not even December yet, and Memphis Grizzlies fans are talking about tanking. This talk needs to halt at the moment. Everything will be fine.

The Memphis Grizzlies are currently in a rut, losing seven straight games. It’s so bad that people are talking about the “intriguing” idea of tanking:

NEEEEWSSS-FLLLLLAAASSHHHHH! It’s still November. The Memphis Grizzlies are currently ONE game out of a playoff spot and three-and-a-half games out of the fourth seed. They haven’t even played 20 games yet.

Why are we talking about tanking so early? Sure, you can end up like the Timberwolves or the Sixers or even the Celtics — teams that have tanked and have a bright future. However, you can be the Kevin Love-led Timberwolves and the Kings — team that have tanked and missed the playoffs for over a decade.

It’s a fun concept, but it shouldn’t even be a discussion yet.

The elements to a Grizz tank and the flaws behind it

• “Let’s just trade Gasol or Conley and blow it up”

Have you seen the return in recent trades involving All-Stars?

Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins — two stars entering their primes — didn’t even net that great of a return. The Pacers are reaping the best-case scenario of benefits with Domantas Sabonis and Victor Oladpio, but it was such poor return for two-way All-Star. In the Cousins trade, the Kings received Buddy Hield, the 10th pick (which they traded for Justin Jackson and Harry Giles) and half-a-season of Tyreke Evans and Langston Galloway.

Carmelo Anthony — a superstar exiting his prime — was only able to get you Enes Kanter, Doug McDermott and 2018 second-round pick.

What would you even get for Gasol and Conley?

Gasol is a center who’s about to turn 33 years old. Popular to fan belief, his return may be a young player with a “NBA starter” ceiling and a late first-round pick. Is that really worth it?

Most teams either have a good starting point guard or a young point guard who will be good. Yes, Mike Conley is a good point guard, but why would teams give up a talented young guard for one who’s 30 years old and has injury history?

Firing up trade machine is easy. However, don’t overvalue the trade market for these players.

• “Let’s just tank and get a good draft pick.”

HAVE YOU PAID ATTENTION TO THIS MANAGEMENT’S DRAFTING IN THE PAST DECADE?

There are only two original first-round picks on the roster — Conley (2007) and Jarell Martin (2015). The former is 30 years old and was Wallace’s first pick as the team’s general manager. The latter is a third-year player who’s currently on a G-League assignment. You’re not going to get a player’s best at year three, but shouldn’t a first-round pick at least be a rotation player by then?

Why would you want to put so much trust in an area where management has struggled for a decade?

• “They should just tank for a few seasons and get some high draft picks.”

Again, why would you want to put so much trust in an area where management has struggled for a decade? But let’s talk about the more compelling side of this argument.

The most fascinating component of the “tanking” issue. When the Grizzlies traded for Jeff Green, Boston received a first-round pick with some protections. In 2019, the pick is top-8 protected. In 2020, it’s top-6 protected, before becoming unprotected in 2021.

Let’s say you get a lottery pick this year. Then, you trade Conley and Gasol which eventually leads to a top-five pick in 2019. Great, you keep the pick! Then, you get a top-five pick again in 2020. Cool, another building block (or you give management another chance to mess up a first-round pick)! What happens if they’re the worst team in 2021 and won’t have the pick?

Wouldn’t it be much better to stay the course, convey the pick early, then start the rebuild?

Related Story: 3 reasons why Grizz shouldn't trade Marc Gasol

It’s November. The Memphis Grizzlies are still in the playoff race. Can we keep these things in mind and save this conversation for another time?