Draymond Green calls out the Grizzlies' intentional losing, arguing it damages young players and tarnishes the league's competitive spirit.
The conversation around tanking in the NBA is no longer subtle, and this week, Draymond Green made sure of that. And with his on-point enthusiasm, he put things into perspective.
Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, the Golden State Warriors forward didn’t hide his frustration with what he sees happening across the league. At the center of his criticism were the Memphis Grizzlies.
“It’s obvious they’re tanking,” Green said, describing what he believes are clear late-game decisions designed to protect draft position rather than chase wins.
Memphis has pivoted firmly toward the future this season. After moving on from key contributors and signaling a reset, the Grizzlies have slid down the standings. But for Green, he's more concerned about how they're happening rather than just the losses.
He pointed to a recent game where Memphis began mounting a comeback, only for productive players to remain on the bench during the closing stretch. In Green’s view, that wasn’t development or load management. It was a message that the final result wasn’t the priority.
For a team sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference, the incentives are clear. The flatter lottery odds still reward poor records, and with a strong upcoming draft class, positioning matters. Memphis appears to be leaning into that reality.
Green’s issue goes beyond competitive optics. He argued that extended losing environments can damage young players’ growth.
“You’re teaching these kids how to lose,” he said, emphasizing that prospects drafted into tanking situations often develop bad habits without proper veteran structure.
The Grizzlies are not alone in this strategy. Other rebuilding teams have drawn similar scrutiny, but Memphis has become one of the more visible examples due to its rotation patterns and late-game substitutions.
To be clear, the franchise has framed its season around development and long-term planning. Injuries, roster turnover, and youth have all contributed to the current position. From an organizational standpoint, protecting assets and maximizing draft value is defensible.
But from a player’s perspective, especially someone competing for playoff positioning like Green, it changes the feel of games.
“You’re playing against teams that’s tanking,” Green said. “That’s no fun.”
The NBA previously adjusted its lottery system to discourage intentional losing, but as the second half of the season approaches, the debate is intensifying again. With Memphis firmly in the draft conversation, the spotlight on how they manage games is unlikely to fade anytime soon.