Young Grizzlies showcase talent in loss, signaling a clear focus on future development and lottery odds over present wins.
Since joining Roundtable, I've been writing about how the Memphis Grizzlies should tank ad nauseam.
Has Zach Kleiman been reading the site?
Probably not. Still, it does seem like the Grizzlies' brain trust agrees. In Monday's loss to the Sacramento Kings, the Grizzlies looked as tank-y as possible.
Ideally, this will set a tone for the rest of the year.
Grizzlies Show Young Talent in Loss
There were plenty of notable performances from young Grizzlies in this one.
Recent signee Rayan Rupert got in on the fun. He finished with 10 points, nine rebounds, and three steals in 26 minutes.
Rupert’s NBA career hasn’t gone according to plan. The 16.8 minutes per game he played for the Portland Trail Blazers as a rookie still stands as a career high. Yet he’s only 21. At 6-foot-7 with long arms and guard skills, he’s exactly the type of developmental swing the Grizzlies should be taking right now.
In a different way, so is (the aptly named) Javon Small.
You’d be forgiven if you hadn’t heard of Small before. The 6-foot-2 guard was selected late in the second round this summer. On Monday, he delivered 21 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 4-of-5 from three-point range. Small looked like the kind of dynamic, off-the-dribble shooter who can compensate for a lack of size with creativity and confidence.
Elsewhere, GG Jackson and Olivier-Maxence Prosper both turned in solid performances. Memphis’ rotation leaned heavily toward youth, with veterans taking a back seat as the organization prioritized development.
That’s exactly how it ought to be.
Grizzlies’ Priorities Seem Straight
How many different ways can it be said?
There’s nothing left to play for this year. The Grizzlies are not making the playoffs. Recognizing that reality is step one. Step two is acting accordingly.
The worse the record at season’s end, the better the long-term outlook. Lottery odds matter. Draft position matters. Short-term respectability does not.
So, in a strange way, Monday night was a big win.
The Kings own the worst record in the NBA. Losing to them is no small feat. In the race to the bottom, every head-to-head result carries extra weight. Memphis gained ground where it counts.
Hang the banner?
Jokes aside, there’s always a reason to watch your favorite team. Development is a reason. A breakout performance from Rupert or Small could ripple into next season and beyond. These are the types of players who might carve out roles on the next winning Grizzlies team.
Even if we shouldn’t expect to see that team for another year or two.