The Memphis Grizzlies are on the brink of elimination from the play-in tournament when they face the Dallas Mavericks at home on April 18th. The winner will advance to play a seven-game series against the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder, with the loser entering their offseason earlier than expected.
Including their first play-in game loss at the Golden State Warriors, the Grizzlies are 12-17 since returning from the All-Star break. Two of those wins came against the Dallas Mavericks but without Anthony Davis, who has given the Grizzlies fits throughout his career.
While there has been plenty to gripe about within the fanbase for Grizzlies fans with their product on the court, a former player's name appears when discussing their slide and the ramifications of trading him.
Trading Marcus Smart was a gift and a curse
Smart's tenure with the Grizzlies was lackluster to say the least, mostly due to injuries. The team rarely had the chance to see what he could've provided as the veteran leader as he only appeared in 39 of a possible 123 games in one and a half seasons with the team.
Due to that reality and the upcoming offseason with Jaren Jackson Jr. up for a possible supermax extension, the Grizzlies' general manager Zach Kleiman pulled the trigger to trade Smart at the trade deadline.
However, it came at a cost, as the Grizzlies had to attach their 2025 first-round draft pick for the Washington Wizards to take on his contract. However, due to the team's slide since making that move (13-19 record), the Grizzlies are in a position to retain their pick in the worst-case scenario.
The Grizzlies traded a lottery protected first in the Marcus Smart deal. That means if the Grizzlies lose to the Mavericks, the pick will be guaranteed to be in the lottery (14th pick and above), and they would instead convey two second-round picks to Washington.
Memphis' slide since making that trade can be attributed to several different things. Those things are veteran leadership, injuries, coaching decisions, and front-office turmoil.
However, while the deal looked to be a little premature at the time it was made, Kleiman prepared for the worst possible outcome of the Grizzlies season. Make the playoffs as they are/were expected, and you lose a late first-round pick or have an unprecedented slide out of the playoffs and retain the pick with a chance to pick higher.
The scenario the Grizzlies face on Friday night isn't what anyone expected, but there is a silver lining to look forward to if they can't overcome their fall from grace.