Some reminders about the Memphis Grizzlies
Just in case you forgot.
Maybe you’re frustrated. Perturbed. Angry. Whatever word you want to use, it was a rough weekend for the Memphis Grizzlies as they started a five-game road trip 0-2. Their 11-game winning streak was snapped in Los Angeles by the Lakers (ouch) and then the team posted arguably their worst 24 minutes of the season against the Phoenix Suns in the first half of their Sunday showdown that led them to another defeat.
The Grizzlies now have a losing record on the road (11-12) and are firmly removed from the #1 seed conversation in the Western Conference (for now) as the Denver Nuggets continue their winning ways. Memphis is solidly the #2 seed (for now) but the immediate cooldown after a red-hot start to 2023 is jarring.
It also isn’t something worth panicking about. Because as tough as these losses were - letting a lead slip away against the Lakers, being thoroughly outclassed in the first half by the Suns - there are still universal truths about the Grizzlies that, for the sake of context, must remain in the front of your mind.
1. They are among the youngest teams in the NBA.
Their three best players - Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane - are under the age of 25. Their rotation currently features no players over the age of 29. Yes, expectations have gone up - rightfully so. But in the history of the NBA most of the time when a team has a rotation as young as the one that the Grizzlies have utilized so far this season, they are not title contenders.
Memphis is the exception to the rule…at least the first one since the Oklahoma City Thunder a decade ago. And no, the Boston Celtics (Al Horford) do not count.
2. Memphis is better on the road than a lot of teams
Sure, a losing record outside of FedExForum is annoying. This is especially true when you consider what the Grizzlies were last season - Memphis was a strong 26-15 away from home in 2021-2022. And yet, these Grizzlies are still better than (or the same as) several other “contenders” (top-10 currently in the league in terms of record) in the NBA on the road.
Milwaukee Bucks - 11-12
Cleveland Cavaliers - 9-14
New Orleans Pelicans - 9-15
Miami Heat - 11-13
That’s just among “current” top-10 teams. The reigning NBA Champion Golden State Warriors (6-18) are atrocious on the road. The Dallas Mavericks (8-15) were in the Western Conference Finals last season. The Phoenix Suns (7-17) were in the NBA Finals two seasons ago.
You get the picture. The Grizzlies could certainly play better for a full 48 minutes defensively, find better looks offensively, while on the floor away from FedExForum. But it’s not as if they’re alone in their visitor mediocrity…and in several cases their current circumstances are preferable.
3. They can do whatever they want at the trade deadline
The Grizzlies have numerous 2nd round picks and all of their own 1st rounders, PLUS the 2024 (protected) 1st round of the Golden State Warriors, at their disposal. They also have an expiring $10 million contract in Danny Green, and players like Xavier Tillman Sr. (outside of the rotation) and Jake LaRavia (promising young player, also outside the Grizzlies rotation) to help make salaries match. If Memphis really wanted a player, adding a wing like Ziaire Williams to a Green/1st round pick package would make for a sweeter pot to a seller at the trade deadline.
Does that mean Memphis will - or should? - make a deal? Of course not. They likely will not - Danny Green could very well in and of himself be a midseason addition in terms of three-point shooting and defensive acumen (not to mention a championship veteran presence). Tillman Sr. started playoff games for the Grizzlies last season (and played well at times!) while LaRavia and Williams (especially Williams) are seen as valuable multi-positional wings for this Memphis roster, both of which on rookie contracts. Money is about to get tight for the Grizzlies with relation to the Luxury Tax…meaningful rookie money contributions matter immensely.
But the fact remains - if Memphis wanted to make a trade, they easily could. Danny Green/Xavier Tillman/a 1st round pick may get you Malik Beasley (perhaps add a 2nd round pick as well). Up that to LaRavia, and/or add an additional pick? Gary Trent Jr. is within the realm of possibility. Go crazy and make it Ziaire instead of LaRavia? Perhaps O.G. Anunoby isn’t impossible after all…
They may stay instead of buy this year - as they have the previous two. But it won’t be because their hands are tied by bad money or a lack of assets.
Even in a hard-fought defeat, the Memphis Grizzlies losing and starting slow on this road trip is upsetting. Add this to the previous swing of games away from Memphis during the holidays, and a larger sample is growing that perhaps the Grizzlies simply are not as good as they were last season on the road.
Even if that is true, it doesn’t change the fact that Memphis is the 3rd best team by record in the NBA. Or their age, which flies in the face of that historically. Or that they’re positioned to build upon this core as well as any other NBA franchise…or that they’re simply “ordinary” on the road as opposed to excellent like they were last season.
They’re excellent at home - the fewest losses of any team in the NBA at home this season. And if the playoffs started today (which they don’t because that’d be weird) two of those rounds would go through Memphis. Even despite some tough outings, everything - both short and long-term - is still in front of the Grizzlies.
Hopefully that brightens your day.