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A coin flip was needed to settle the score.
The Memphis Grizzlies ended the regular season in a three-way tie for draft positioning with the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks. Memphis won the tiebreaker on April 21 and landed with the 18th overall pick.
However, that pick won’t be coming to Memphis.
The Grizzlies traded their 2025 first-round draft pick to the Washington Wizards in a deal that brought Marvin Bagley III to Memphis. Marcus Smart was also sent to Washington in the trade.
Memphis made the selection lottery protected, meaning the Grizzlies would have been able to keep the pick if they missed the playoffs. The landing spot came down to the play-in game won by the Grizzlies against the Dallas Mavericks.
If Memphis would have lost to the Mavs, it would have kept its lottery pick for the 2025 NBA Draft. Now, the Grizzlies lose their pick and have the uphill challenge of battling top-seeded the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.
In an era where tanking — losing games in the present for better long term flexibility has gained notoriety — some have questioned the value of winning the play-in game and losing a pick to play the team with the NBA’s best record.
It’s an interesting perspective, but not one that breeds a winning mentality. And besides, there is great value in the Grizzlies seeing where they stand on a larger scale.
Tuomas Iisalo only had nine regular season games as interim coach. A playoff run allows the front office to get a better gauge of Iisalo in a permanent role. A playoff series requires adjustments, timely and quick decisions that separate good coaches from the ones who can be great.
Memphis still has two second-round picks in the 2025 draft. The Grizzlies are slated to pick at No. 48 and No. 56. Those selections are swaps from the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, respectively. The Grizzlies’ own second-rounder is going to the New York Knicks at No. 50.
The second round had been good to Memphis the past two years. With 39th pick last year, Memphis selected Jaylen Wells, who is a Rookie of the Year finalist. GG Jackson, selected at No. 45 in 2023 made the All-Rookie team.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies made playoffs, but lost their first-round NBA draft pick
Continue reading...
The Memphis Grizzlies ended the regular season in a three-way tie for draft positioning with the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks. Memphis won the tiebreaker on April 21 and landed with the 18th overall pick.
However, that pick won’t be coming to Memphis.
The Grizzlies traded their 2025 first-round draft pick to the Washington Wizards in a deal that brought Marvin Bagley III to Memphis. Marcus Smart was also sent to Washington in the trade.
Memphis made the selection lottery protected, meaning the Grizzlies would have been able to keep the pick if they missed the playoffs. The landing spot came down to the play-in game won by the Grizzlies against the Dallas Mavericks.
Right decision?
If Memphis would have lost to the Mavs, it would have kept its lottery pick for the 2025 NBA Draft. Now, the Grizzlies lose their pick and have the uphill challenge of battling top-seeded the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs.
In an era where tanking — losing games in the present for better long term flexibility has gained notoriety — some have questioned the value of winning the play-in game and losing a pick to play the team with the NBA’s best record.
It’s an interesting perspective, but not one that breeds a winning mentality. And besides, there is great value in the Grizzlies seeing where they stand on a larger scale.
Tuomas Iisalo only had nine regular season games as interim coach. A playoff run allows the front office to get a better gauge of Iisalo in a permanent role. A playoff series requires adjustments, timely and quick decisions that separate good coaches from the ones who can be great.
What’s next?
Memphis still has two second-round picks in the 2025 draft. The Grizzlies are slated to pick at No. 48 and No. 56. Those selections are swaps from the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, respectively. The Grizzlies’ own second-rounder is going to the New York Knicks at No. 50.
The second round had been good to Memphis the past two years. With 39th pick last year, Memphis selected Jaylen Wells, who is a Rookie of the Year finalist. GG Jackson, selected at No. 45 in 2023 made the All-Rookie team.
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies made playoffs, but lost their first-round NBA draft pick
Continue reading...
