The Memphis Grizzlies were officially eliminated from NBA playoff contention after Saturday afternoon's 126-122 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Now, the defeat brought some ramifications beyond just depriving rookie Ja Morant of some ahead-of-schedule big-game experience.
As ESPN's Bobby Marks noted, the loss meant that Memphis will participate in the upcoming draft lottery and will likely end up in the no. 14 position in the 2020 NBA Draft. If that happens, the Grizzlies' pick would be sent to the Boston Celtics, who own the Grizzlies' 2020 first-rounder with top-six protection.
If the Grizzlies do retain the pick, Boston will receive an unprotected first in 2021. If you are Memphis, you want the Celtics to have the first this season. https://t.co/jmx6Id2cyK
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 15, 2020
However, if Memphis has better luck in the lottery than in the bubble and jumps into the top four, they will keep their pick in 2020 and send an unprotected 2021 first-round pick to Danny Ainge and Co.
As Marks reported, Memphis has less than a one percent chance to land one of the Top 4 picks. In other words, there is a 97.6% chance that Memphis sends their pick to the Celtics.
Boston would probably prefer to see Memphis defy the odds this year and receive their 2021 first round pick unprotected. Either way though, Boston comes out as winners considering their current NBA contender status and young roster.
The Celtics' seemingly never-ending cabinet of assets also includes the 26th pick (their own) and the 30th pick in the draft, courtesy of the Milwaukee Bucks.
The lottery is scheduled for this coming Thursday, August 20, and the 2020 NBA draft is slated for October 16.
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