Over the last few years, the Memphis Grizzlies have been a rising power in the NBA. Blessed with a young, budding superstar in Ja Morant and excellent supporting players such as Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr., they have been taking steps toward entering the league’s elite circle.
Last season, they finished with the second-best record in the Western Conference, and although they suffered a correction when they lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Los Angeles Lakers, hopes were high for this season.
But Morant’s 25-game suspension for his latest gun-related incident torpedoed any shot they had at competing for the NBA title, along with the season-ending injury to center Steven Adams. When Morant returned a few weeks ago with his team at 6-19, it went on an instant four-game winning streak. Thus, there was a glimmer of hope it could snag a play-in tournament spot.
On Tuesday, Memphis was hit with thunderbolts in the form of the news that Morant would require season-ending shoulder surgery. Just like that, its season, for all intents and purposes, is virtually over.
NBA News & Rumors: Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies Updates
With a 14-23 record, the Grizzlies are 4.5 games behind the Lakers for 10th place in the West. It is safe to say the Grizzlies will not even reach the play-in tournament this season.
However, this could all end up benefitting them. No cap.
They currently hold the sixth-worst record in the NBA, and they rank 29th in offensive rating and last in scoring. They’re going to lose lots of games, even though Bane and Jackson are playing excellent basketball.
If they lose enough games, they could have a real shot at winning the draft lottery and getting the No. 1 pick in this June’s draft. Even if they end up in the middle of the lottery, that pick could still yield a very good, or at least a very useful player.
While the Grizzlies’ future has been bright, it has also been clear they need another piece or two. While their backcourt of Morant, Bane and former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart is outstanding, and while Jackson is turning into a star, they could use help at the wing and forward positions.
Last season, Dillon Brooks was a key starting forward for them. But he bolted to the Houston Rockets this past summer, and the All-Defensive Second Team selection is shooting a much higher percentage than he ever did for the Grizzlies.
On a personal level, Morant could turn this downtime into something positive. Many have said he needs to step up his game off the court and have questioned the company he may or may not keep. This can be a time for some serious self-reflection and personal development for one of the NBA’s brightest and most exciting young stars.
Perhaps several years from now, people will point to the 2023-24 season as a blessing in disguise for the Grizzlies, just as the 1996-97 campaign was a blessing in disguise for the San Antonio Spurs. That was the year Hall of Fame center David Robinson missed almost the entire year due to injury, allowing them to win the lottery and draft Tim Duncan.
As the old saying goes, when life gives you lemons, turn them into lemonade.
