Grizzlies' obvious tanking strategy is suddenly drawing attention across the NBA

It was genuinely a matter of time before the Grizzlies' tank would draw greater discussion. It was obvious to Grizzlies fans that the team has not been trying to win since the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. Whether it is injury reports, ten-day contracts, or heavy sub patterns with a shorthanded team, the Grizzlies have done everything in their power to improve their draft positioning.

The tank in Utah has drawn major attention across the league and has strongly overshadowed the Grizzlies' clear intentions to tank. Now, the Grizzlies' obvious strategy is finally becoming a greater topic of discussion in the NBA world.

In the latest episode of Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective, a lot of the focus was on the current NBA MVP race. Most interestingly, in the Grizzlies' case was the mention of their recent tanking. In the segment, around the 36:25 mark, Brian Windhorst, Tim MacMahon, and Tim Bontemps all took notice of the Grizzlies' situation.

The tank is becoming even more obvious outside of Memphis

The Grizzlies being so injured and having a new-look roster after the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade probably stopped more fans around the league from talking about their efforts to tank. While teams like the Utah Jazz have drawn significant attention, the Grizzlies have flown under the radar the whole time.

Today is a huge indicator that the Grizzlies' tanking is something that could end up getting talked about way more. It was a short segment, but it was a very telling one. "Just because we are not talking about it, Memphis, we see you," said Brian Windhorst. MacMahon also added, "We see you, we see your injury report, we see your ten-day contracts, we see it all."

Injury reports reveal the Grizzlies' intentions

The Grizzlies have been injured even long before the trade deadline. Even at full strength, they would probably still have an uphill climb to win games due to the youth of the new-look roster. However, injury reports tied to the last two games, especially yesterday's, prove a clear intent to lose.

Many players on the report are still recovering from multi-week injuries. Despite this fact, there are multiple players that likely would have played if the Grizzlies were in a position to win. In Brooklyn, the Grizzlies only had eight players available for the game but still ruled out multiple players for yesterday's contest anyways.

The Grizzlies have found even more ways to lose intentionally

The 10-day contracts point made by MacMahon is another obvious indicator the Grizzlies are tanking. The Grizzlies did not bring in another center after Lawson Lovering's 10-day contract expired despite Zach Edey, Santi Aldama, and Brandon Clarke all still being out. The team likely would have extra wins if they brought in a center, but the intent to lose is clear.

Rotations have been a controversial talking point in Memphis all season. Even though the Grizzlies rightfully need to give multiple players extended opportunities to develop, the fact that everyone played under 30 minutes in Philadelphia showed the Grizzlies had no interest in protecting their double-digit lead in the second half yesterday. Yesterday's game against the 76ers is just one of many examples post trade deadline.

Teams like the Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers have already received fines related to conduct detrimental to the league and player participation. It is very surprising to see the Grizzlies have not been disciplined. With new mentions of the Grizzlies' clear effort to tank, this could end up becoming an even bigger storyline in the NBA.