What to Expect from the Memphis Grizzlies in the month of June?

NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 19: Andrew Harrison #5 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks down the court in the first quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on March 19, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

In what will be the biggest month thus far in 2018 for the Memphis Grizzlies, June’s NBA Draft is not the Front Office’s only opportunity for big decisions.

For fans of the Memphis Grizzlies, it is beginning to feel like a long offseason. The Grizz were sent fishing much sooner in the calendar that previous years of this decade, so it hurts to see other teams battling in the postseason.

The good news: the 2017-18 NBA season is almost complete. Done. Over. The NBA Finals have tipped off and will soon be complete (no later than June 18th). Soon after, this brings along one huge annual event — the NBA Draft.

It is the changing of the guard. The next season gets underway by the end of this month. From the Draft comes NBA Summer League action, which will definitely generate major buzz around Memphis as the young guys on the team prepare for the 2018-19 season.

Believe it or not, it is already June. Grizz Nation needs to keep the below dates in mind as these are the best chances to see Memphis Grizzlies-related news this month.

Key Dates

June 21st: JaMychal Green turns 28
June 21st: 2018 NBA Draft from the Barclays Center in New York, New York at 6:00 PM Central Time (Memphis Grizzlies own selections No. 4 and No. 32 overall)
June 25th: NBA Awards Show (televised live on TNT at 8:00 PM Central Time)
June 29th: Deadline for contract determinations on Team and Player Options
June 30th: Upcoming salary cap numbers, including luxury tax threshold, officially announced

The Breakdown

Though two-thirds of the month of June is expected to be relatively quiet on the Grizzlies’ front, the final one-third more than makes up for it. The NBA Draft will be more exciting than usual for those in Memphis being as the Grizz have the fourth overall pick. They are bound to receive a top prospect, plus, the Grizzlies really need to hit the jackpot in order to maximize the final prime years of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley.

In speaking of Conley, the Memphis Grizzlies’ conductor remains the final hope of bringing 2017-18 NBA season award to the 901. Though “Mac-11” appeared in just 12 games for the Grizz, he has been named as a finalist for the season-long NBA Community Assist award. This is an honor that Mike certainly deserves, so Grizz Nation needs to keep an eye on June 25th’s NBA Awards Show.

Next: Would Memphis actually make a deal with the Celtics?

An additional date with extreme importance is June 29th due to the fact the Memphis Grizzlies must decide on what to do with the contract of guard Andrew Harrison. Memphis owns a Team Option on Harrison’s deal, and if they choose to retain his rights, it will equal a $1,544,951 payout in 2018-19 for the University of Kentucky product. Though the improved Andrew Harrison started in 46 of 56 games played this past season, it may not be a lock for him to have the team’s option accepted. Guys such as Kobi Simmons and MarShon Brooks stepped up in Harrison’s injury-related absences.

Keep pace with Beale Street Bears as our panel of writers provides the latest insight on the Memphis Grizzlies’ Draft process!

Go Grizz!

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