Memphis Grizzlies: Breaking Down The 3 Different Scenarios In The NBA Draft Lottery

The Memphis Grizzlies are one of many teams with heavy implications attached to the NBA Draft Lottery. Here’s a look at their three scenarios.

The early returns on the Memphis Grizzlies 2018 NBA Draft have to be considered a success. They drafted their next franchise star in Jaren Jackson Jr. and they also selected a fan favorite backup point guard in Jevon Carter.

This is a big offseason for the Grizzlies. They still don’t have a head coach and there might be big roster changes coming as well with Mike Conley very likely on the move in a trade. May 14th could be a huge factor in determining how long the rebuild is going to take.

They have a chance to jump into the top four and land an elite young prospect which would help speed up the rebuild, but if they’re stuck at eight then there won’t be as many game-changers still available. If they drop out of the top eight their pick will go to Boston which is also possible.

The Grizzlies prefer to be either in the top four or drop out of the top eight and convey the pick to Boston. If they don’t convey the pick to the Celtics then they will have to give it up in either the 2020 or 2021 NBA Draft.

This is a team that doesn’t have a lot of young talent outside of Jaren Jackson Jr. Delon Wright and Jonas Valanciunas are two players who have been good, but they might not be a part of the long-term plans in Memphis. If the Grizzlies can get another young star to build around this summer that would be a big step towards establishing a core going forward.

Even if the Grizzlies do convey the pick to Boston they do still have a chance to secure a first-round pick. If Mike Conley were to get traded it would bring back at least one first rounder in return, as well as a possible young player or two. No matter what the results of the lottery are the Grizzlies will have a busy summer; here’s a breakdown of the three possible scenarios.