Grizzlies draft pick, owned by Celtics, may be getting more valuable


The Memphis Grizzlies are currently second-to-last in the Western Conference with a 19-28 record. Even as things look right now, they will almost-certainly end up with a high-lottery pick in the 2019 NBA draft. The Boston Celtics own the Memphis first-round pick this year, top-8 protected. It would be top-6 protected in 2020 and totally unprotected in 2021. And now with Memphis taking offers on veterans Marc Gasol and Mike Conley, that pick may transfer to the 2021 draft.



If Gasol and Conley depart, the Grizzlies will be in full-tank mode, and a rebuild will take some time, possibly making that potential 2021 pick quite valuable - either as a trade chip for Danny Ainge, or to pluck a future star from the lottery. Fast-forward to June, 2019. If the Memphis pick is within the top-8 - and transfers to 2020 (where the Grizz pick may fall within the top-6 protected range - sending it to 2021, unprotected), even this summer we may see Danny Ainge use that pick in a deal for Antony Davis or another star. Danny loves, and protects, his treasured draft picks. We can see why!

Follow Tom at @TomLaneHC, @CelticsSentinel and Facebook

Photo via Yahoo Sports
Share