Looking at the number Jonas is putting up in Memphis, I will not be surprised if he makes them a better team than when they had Marc Gasol. I mean I know they lost both games, but I wouldnt count out them finishing outside the top 8 just yet.
It's gonna be a race to the bottom. Washington is 1.5 ahead, New Orleans is 2.5. It doesn't look like AD is showing up for the rest of the year, so they could pass Memphis (on the way down). Washington is a wild card.
Personally, I'm very happy with Memphis at #6, which gives them a couple spaces to drop in the lottery and still defer the pick.
Mike
It's going to be a stressful time for our picks. If the Grizzlies stay at 6 it does give us some leeway come lottery time. I was looking at the remaining strength of schedule and the Pelicans do have a harder remaining schedule so that's good. The Wizards do worry me only a game ahead in the win column, but they are in east. The Hawks have been closing in on the Grizzlies 4 games back now in the win column, but probably not enough time to catch them.
If the Kings can get to the 10th pick we'll have an 11% chance of it becoming a 2-4 pick. About 16% at 9, and 20% at 8. They currently sit at 14, but have a tough upcoming schedule. 3 games on the road at GS, OKC, Minnesota, then 4 at home against Milwaukee, LAC, NY, and Boston, then 4 games again on the road NY, Washington, Boston, and Philly. If they go let's say 3 and 8 during that stretch it will be huge for us. They will then be sitting at 33 and 35. They then play 4 winnable games at home against Chicago, Brooklyn, Dallas, and Phoenix. If say Brooklyn and Dallas can beat them, and they split those 4 games that will good, and then they finish the season with 7 out of the last 10 games on the road.
The 9th and 10th teams in the east Heat and Magic have a shot of catching the Kings with 3 and 4 wins back. The Magic have won 5 in a row recently. In the west the Lakers 2 wins back, Wolves 3 wins back, Mavs and Pelicans 4 wins back have a shot as well. If 4 out of those 6 teams can catch them then we are sitting at 10 with that 11% chance at moving up in the lottery in those 2-4 slots. I can live with that. ha
IMO it's best if the Clippers pick conveys this year, and not taking any chances next year. We are hanging on by a thread with them as the 8th seed 2 wins above the Kings. The 4th through 8th seeds in the west are only 3 games apart all between 32 and 34 wins. Lots can happen there, but if anything I think the Clippers could fall out of the playoffs.
These picks can have big impacts on trade value for a potential Davis trade. Stressful times. lol