Wild statistic explains why Grizzlies could move up in 2024 NBA Draft

Following their 27-55 finish to the 2023-24 campaign, the Memphis Grizzlies head into this year's NBA Draft with a guaranteed lottery selection.

This marks the first time since 2019 that the franchise has organically held its own rights to such a lofty pick and, as any Grind City resident can attest, their last experience ended up working out quite well, for they nabbed Ja Morant second overall in that respective class.

Of course, what's noteworthy to mention is that the Grizzlies were not initially expected to land in such a high-end slot on the draft board, as they finished with the eighth-worst record during the 2018-19 campaign and, thus, the odds suggested they would be selecting at eighth overall.

Fortunately, they proved to be a beneficiary of the league's alteration to its lottery model back in 2017, as they were able to fall into the top three despite holding a superior regular season record compared to the vast majority of teams that fell behind them in the pecking order.

Now, ahead of this June's festivities, Grizzlies beat writer Damichael Cole believes luck could strike again for Zach Kleiman and company, as recent statistics show the odds may be in the franchise's favor to move up.

Wild statistic shows Grizzlies could move up in 2024 NBA Draft

"Maybe seven is a lucky number. At least in the case of the draft lottery. Memphis has 7.5% odds of acquiring the top overall pick and a 31.9% chance of moving into the top four. In the five seasons of the current format, the team positioned seventh has moved into the top four in all but one year... The most noticeable movement came in 2019, when the Pelicans grabbed the No. 1 pick after having the seventh-best odds. That was the same season Memphis jumped from eighth to second and selected Morant."

- Damichael Cole

As things currently stand, all projections are playing it safe and have the Grizzlies on the board at eighth overall where many have been vocal about their desires to see them selecting either G League Ignite standout Ron Holland or UConn big Donovan Clingan, the latter of whom is a talent that could help bolster the club's incredibly depleted talent pool at the center position.

However, if history suggests anything, it's that Memphis could very realistically mosey on up higher than just the top-eight, and, in turn, could find themselves presented with a much more vast pool of prospects to choose from.

Two weeks out from May 12's lottery placement, the possibilities are seemingly endless when it comes to what the ball club could wind up doing come this year's draft. However, as far as Cole's findings are concerned, it would appears the odds are in the Grizzlies' favor to move up.

Lets hope this trend continues in 2024.