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Wizards, NBA Trade Rumors Triggered 2018-19 Memphis Grizzlies’ Demise

By Christian Dudley

MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 5: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 5, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - JANUARY 5: Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards goes to the basket against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 5, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The notorious failed NBA trade rumors involving the Washington Wizards was a key turning point in the Memphis Grizzlies’ 2018-19 season.

The Memphis Grizzlies are preparing to face the Washington Wizards on Saturday evening in game No. 69 of 82. While both teams have struggled mightily in the 2018-19 NBA season, there is a special connection between these two clubs surrounding NBA trade rumors.

Rewinding to December of 2018, the infamous failed trade which was rumored was said to involve the Memphis Grizzlies, Washington Wizards, and Phoenix Suns. It truly was a total embarrassment on behalf of all three parties due to each team’s General Manager pointing fingers while blaming miscommunication.

Which Brooks player was being dealt from Memphis? Was it Dillon Brooks? Or was it MarShon Brooks? It appears as if the Grizzlies were set on retaining Dillon as part of their core for the future, therefore MarShon was their trade piece. Phoenix believed it was Dillon in the deal. Washington, the main point of contact, appeared to not care about anything other than tearing their own team apart to end its own tragic downfall.

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Regardless of who is to rightfully blame for this major flop within actual NBA trade rumors, this point in time really squashed any and all momentum the Memphis Grizzlies had going for themselves. They had earned an early lead atop the NBA’s Western Conference one month into the season, but just like the 2017-18 season, their ship crashed into a major roadblock and was dead in the water.

Memphis now sits at a record of 28-41. The former three-team NBA trade rumors began to fly during the Grizzlies’ 100-97 loss on December 14th. Prior to that particular evening, the Memphis Grizzlies owned a 16-11 mark — a 59.3% winning percentage.

Since then, Memphis is riding an 18.7% decrease in winning percentage. Furthermore, following the trade news (or lack thereof), the Grizzlies suffered a five-game losing streak, which was the longest of the season until they lost six straight games from December 29th through January 7th. Then the Grizz followed this losing trend with an eight-game skid between January 12th through 25th.

You can truly say these initial NBA trade rumors derailed the Memphis Grizzlies’ team chemistry. Dillon Brooks did not know what to think, even though he was sidelined at the time. Plus, MarShon Brooks and Wayne Selden opened their eyes to the inevitable after both were intended to bolster the bench unit entering the 2018-19 season. On a lighter note, this also cost Memphis a chance at landing Kelly Oubre, who has flourished since arriving in Phoenix with the Suns.

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As the Memphis Grizzlies take on the Washington Wizards on Friday, a reminder is given to Grizz Nation. It is not a pleasant one. It brings up the fact of the failed trade attempt, along with the miscommunication that has been present throughout the season. Though it is not significant beef with the Wizards, this matchup hurts a little on the inside. However, the Grizzlies’ Front Office is as much to blame as the Wizards’ executives.

Today, Memphis is playing with the goal to convey their 2019 first-round NBA Draft selection. The Grizzlies are ranked as the NBA’s seventh-worst franchise heading into their matchup versus the Wizards. In order to convey, they ideally need to finish the season in the nine to 14 range.

Next in line? Washington, of course.

A win for the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday will enable them to force a tie with the Washington Wizards. There is plenty more basketball to play in the remaining three weeks of the 2018-19 NBA season in order to determine the final season standings, let alone any potential tiebreakers.

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For now, some significance exists in this Grizz-Wiz battle for very uncommon reasons. The madness tips off at 6:00 PM Central Time with the Memphis Grizzlies traveling to the nation’s capital.

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