Fansided

NBA Draft Lottery 2018: Winners and losers

By Ian Levy

SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 11: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings wears the Oscar Robertson Triple- Double Award belonging to Garrett Temple #17 prior to the game against the Houston Rockets on April 11, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - APRIL 11: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings wears the Oscar Robertson Triple- Double Award belonging to Garrett Temple #17 prior to the game against the Houston Rockets on April 11, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
MEMPHIS, TN – MAY 2: J.B. Bickerstaff of the Memphis Grizzlies speaks with the media during a Press Conference announcing himself as Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach on May 2, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN – MAY 2: J.B. Bickerstaff of the Memphis Grizzlies speaks with the media during a Press Conference announcing himself as Memphis Grizzlies Head Coach on May 2, 2018 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Loser: Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies suffered through a disastrous, injury-ridden season, with the potential of a top-3 pick as the light at the end of the tunnel. In the end, they were pushed down by both the Hawks and Kings, slotting in at No. 4. The Grizzlies will still have a (hopefully) healthy Mike Conley and Marc Gasol to lean on next season, but their potential to add immediate help in the draft has been eroded.

The choice between Luka Doncic or DeAndre Ayton would give the Grizzlies the chance to add talent polished enough to help immediately. At No. 4 the options will be winnowed. Jaren Jackson is interesting but probably not ready to help with a playoff push next season. Bagley adds offensive juice but has serious defensive shortcomings. Beyond that there is risk (Trae Young, Michael Porter Jr.) or reward with less upside (Mikal or Miles Bridges). The Grizzlies needed an immediate payoff and the lottery results make that a lot less likely.

Home/NBA Draft