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Memphis Grizzlies Must Rethink Option to Convey Their 2019 First-Round NBA Draft Pick

By Ed Memphis

BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: A view of the Memphis Grizzlies 2018 NBA Draft hat is seen on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images)
BROOKLYN, NY - JUNE 21: A view of the Memphis Grizzlies 2018 NBA Draft hat is seen on June 21, 2018 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Memphis Grizzlies NBA Draft
The Memphis Grizzlies may need to reconsider conveying their first-round 2019 NBA Draft pick (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Dead End Ahead

Hypothetically speaking, a couple mid-level player acquisitions along with the continued momentum from the 2018-19 season means the 2019-20 Memphis Grizzlies likely improve on their (impending) ninth-worst finish.

Even at a marginal rate of going from ninth to around twelve or thirteen, the chances of the current group making the NBA Playoffs in the Western Conference in the 2019-20 season are virtually zero. This is especially so considering the Grizzlies could be without a top Draft prospect nor a major free-agent or trade acquisition due to the lack of trade assets, cap space, and free-agent attraction.

More from Beale Street Bears

So you are looking at a season where the Memphis Grizzlies could very well improve some, but not enough to clinch a playoff berth. This would put the Grizzlies right at the very end of the lottery in 2020. I talk about this in depth in this video.

I must say the 2020 NBA Draft is very talented and loaded with guys ready to produce immediately and/or have great potential worth investing in long-term. It looks to be better than the slightly more uncertain 2019 NBA Draft, which is likely to have more back-end sleepers. The former scenario would also mean the Memphis Grizzlies end up without high-end lottery picks in consecutive Drafts despite likely missing the playoffs in both seasons.

Grizz Nation, would you have preferred to continue tanking as Memphis was on pace for before last month’s NBA Trade Deadline, which is also the first year of more balanced Draft odds for a Zion Williamson?

Next. Memphis Grizzlies: Key Games in the Race to Convey 2019's NBA Draft Pick. dark

Alternatively, do you stay on the route the Grizzlies are currently on as of today and likely end up finishing with a slightly better team record next year, but with an even lower lottery pick in the 2020 NBA Draft? Comment below to let Beale Street Bears know!

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