The Grizzlies‘ slide down the standings continued on Monday night, as a loss in Houston dropped Memphis’ record to 19-24. The Grizzlies now rank 14th in the Western Conference, four games back of the eighth-seeded Jazz.
The standings in the West are still bunched up enough that even a brief hot stretch could put the club back in the playoff picture. But with so many teams now between them and the top eight, the odds of a Grizzlies postseason push appear to be dwindling by the day. Especially since their next three games come against Milwaukee, Boston, and Toronto.
Given the Grizzlies’ spot in the standings, they’ll face some tough decisions in the coming weeks as the February 7 trade deadline approaches. Here are a few of the latest notes and rumors out of Memphis:
- According to Marc Stein of The New York Times (Twitter link), there’s a growing belief around the NBA that Marc Gasol will opt for free agency this summer, rather than exercising his $25.6MM player option. A $25.6MM salary will be hard to replicate for a 34-year-old free agent, so Gasol shouldn’t be considered a lock to opt out. Still, Stein wonders if the Grizzlies could explore trading Gasol at the deadline rather than risk losing him for nothing in the offseason.
- In a recent article for The Daily Memphian, Chris Herrington expressed skepticism that the Grizzlies would seriously consider dealing Gasol this season. However, Herrington also believes that the acquisition of Justin Holiday will probably be the last move Memphis makes as a buyer this season. While Herrington doesn’t expect a full-fledged fire sale, he writes that some “smaller, strategic selling” seems realistic.
- If the Grizzlies’ playoff chances keep slipping, it could make sense for the team to embrace the tank and try to keep its first-round pick, which is top-eight protected. However, that may not be the best approach for the franchise, as David Cobb of The Memphis Commercial Appeal explains. The 2019 draft class is viewed as fairly average after the top four or five players, and if the Grizzlies keep this year’s pick, they’ll just owe Boston a future first-rounder with fewer protections.
New Orleans: Gasol, Green, Casspi
Memphis: mirotic, Hill, Westley Johnson, Okafor, and a 2020 1st rounder
If healthy, I think Mirotic is an ideal fit next to AD. He spreads the floor and extends the D so AD can operate freely. I don’t think Gasol would be that great of a fit.
A good plan and a good story for awhile, but without both Brooks and Anderson, and no space under the tax line until after next season, it might be time to look at alternatives for this year. But I doubt they begin a multi-year tanking strategy until after they send the pick to Boston. They’d likely still prefer to send Boston #9 or later in this draft and be done with it.
Brooks and Anderson out, and they still don’t want Parsons around! Good thing Casspi is having another good year in limited minutes.
They’re going to finish next-to-last! Dallas won’t get any worse if they trade SmithJr. Pels, Wolves better. DET & WAS could improve, keeping MEM in the top 8.
What a pinch. I’m thinking by “alternatives” @DXC means the GM.
Gasol for kanter and a top 5 protected first round pick.
10*
I don’t see NY trading for Marc Gasol. They’re basically playing the young guys on their team. Don’t forget Gasol & Fizdale didn’t exactly see eye to eye in Memphis.
Houston, Lakers, Clippers make the most sense for Gasol for me. The way the money works out probably means the most important asset for Memphis in a trade would be a pick(s)