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Memphis Grizzlies: 3 big questions following the 2019 All-Star break

By Jake Peterson

MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 12: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 12, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - FEBRUARY 12: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on February 12, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Ashlee Espinal/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. To convey or not to convey?

As of today, the Grizzlies sit 6th in the lottery standings with a 23-36 record. Over the course of their next 23 games, they will play 12 at home and 11 on the road. Home or away, the team has been bad since the start of the New Year, winning just five games over that stretch.

Despite their free fall, Memphis figures to get no higher than fifth in the lottery standings. Tanktastic teams like the Phoenix Suns, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls are too far up (or down, depending on how you look at it) in the standings for the Grizzlies to tank their way to the No. 1 pick.

The Atlanta Hawks have been playing better than the Grizzlies in 2019 and they’re a team the Grizzlies will be keeping their eyes on in the standings.

Looking the other way, and the Grizzlies find themselves bunched up with a few other teams: the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks (pick owned by the Hawks), Miami Heat, Orlando Magic and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Of those teams, here’s how they can be broken down into groups:

Non-playoff teams:

  • Wizards
  • Pelicans
  • Mavericks
  • Timberwolves

Still fighting:

  • Heat
  • Magic

The Wizards are somewhat likely to pass the Grizzlies in the lottery standings after trading away Otto Porter Jr. and admitting it was time to look at a rebuild.

The Mavericks are too far out of the playoff standings and lack the firepower to climb back in.

Additionally, they have the Lakers, Kings and Clippers all standing in their way of the 8th seed.

The Pelicans season has turned into a disaster and who knows how much Anthony Davis will play over the remainder of the year.

The Timberwolves are also too far back in the standings for the playoffs but are on the fringe between still trying and throwing in the towel.

The Heat and the Magic are complete wildcards and despite both teams being five games under .500, they are still in the hunt for the potential 6th seed in the East. Go Eastern Conference!

So, that leaves Memphis to keep hovering around the 6-8 spot in the lottery standings. It’s going to be the main focus of the team going forward and will impact how they play things out over the summer. This “race” is going to come down to the end of the year for the Grizz.

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