Trading stars, sidelined stars, and a mediocre record leave the Grizzlies adrift. Their current path guarantees nothing but prolonged uncertainty.
The Memphis Grizzlies look directionless. On some level, that's to be expected. The team traded Jaren Jackson Jr. at the deadline. His defensive versatility has been a linchpin for this organization for years. Without him, they're an entirely different team.
They seemingly would have moved Ja Morant if they'd had a suitor. Even though he's currently on the roster, he's sidelined by an injury. It's unknown whether he'll suit up again this year or not. Broadly speaking, this is a transitional period for a franchise that's typically put a winning product on the floor.
Given their tumultuous season, they'd be forgiven for piling up losses. They'd be commended for racking up wins. Instead, the Grizzlies are doing the worst possible thing:
They're being mediocre.
Memphis Grizzlies Need to Find a Direction
As it stands, this team is 3-4 since the All-Star break. That's either too good or not good enough.
Some fans loathe tanking. Fair enough. If the Grizzlies' front office felt the same way, a winning record could be justified. Memphis was in a position where they were beating decent teams; something would have to be going right.
They are not. Since the All-Star break, the Grizzlies have defeated the Pacers, Mavericks, and Jazz. They've lost to any team with a pulse.
All of which has put the Grizzlies in a position where they're the best of the worst: And that's the worst position to be in.
Memphis Grizzlies Must Capitalize on Every Opportunity
It gets worse. Zach Edey is done for the year. If the Memphis was winning games thanks to his performances, that would be something to sell to the fanbase on.
Cedric Coward is entrenched as a foundational piece. Otherwise, no Grizzly's future is clear. So long as that's true, from an organizational perspective, there's little to play for. So why are the Grizzlies winning games?
Perhaps it's a good thing. It may be that Memphis' young guys are simply better than the Pacers' or Jazz's. That's fine, but the NBA is an arms race. If the Jazz draft Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybansta, or Cameron Boozer, that calculus could change quickly.
The NBA's lottery odds are flattened. There's nothing the Grizzlies can do to guarantee themselves a blue-chip prospect. That said, they can maximize their odds by at least trying to lose games right now.
Whether fans like it or not, that's the safest course of action during a season where they only seem capable of beating the league's basement dwellers in the first place.
If nothing else, that would give them a direction.