The Clippers lost five future first-round picks over the Kawhi Leonard salary-cap case, creating another long-term advantage for the rebuilding Grizzlies.
It can be tacky to celebrate others' hardship, but it could be difficult for Memphis Grizzlies fans to avoid celebrating the Los Angeles Clippers' recent difficulties.
It could benefit them in several ways.
That's the reality of life in the NBA. It's a fierce competition. Anything bad for one team can benefit another. When that team is in your conference, it's particularly useful:
And in some respects, the Grizzlies need all the help they can get.
Grizzlies Will Always Have Market Disadvantages
For the uninformed, let's quickly review.
The NBA found that the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented the salary cap through off-court compensation involving Kawhi Leonard.
The league fined the Clippers $30 million. That's not really relevant to the Grizzlies.
The five future first-round picks Los Angeles lost should matter to Memphis fans.
The Clippers forfeited one first-round pick in every draft from 2029 through 2033.
Their future outlook was already unusual before the punishment. Los Angeles had started rebuilding by moving Leonard back to Toronto and collecting younger players and draft capital in return.
Now, five of those future firsts are gone.
That's a massive advantage for the Grizzlies. They already have a better young core, headlined by Cameron Boozer, and the Clippers now have fewer ways to close that gap through the draft.
Given Los Angeles' massive market advantage, that means a lot.
The Clippers play in Los Angeles. The Grizzlies play in Memphis. Los Angeles will always have advantages when it comes to attracting stars.
That counts.
But the Grizzlies wouldn't trade Boozer and their collection of future first-round picks just to swap situations with the Clippers. Right now, Memphis is in the better spot:
But that doesn't mean it can rest on its laurels.
Grizzlies Still Need To Handle Their Own Business
The Clippers are in a tough spot. Picking up the pieces will not be easy:
But anything can happen in the National Basketball Association.
The Clippers could land a superstar in the second round. They could land a marquee free agent and cobble together enough assets to trade for another star. They're down, but they are not out.
Moreover, the Grizzlies can't afford to focus on the Clippers.
They need to keep their own affairs in order. The team's future is bright, and Boozer gives Memphis a potential franchise cornerstone, but they still need to take the right steps around him.
So yes, they benefit from the Kawhi Leonard drama.
They still need to do the right things.
For now, Grizzlies fans can celebrate the Clippers' demise:
Privately.
