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The Celtics have a lot of potential draft picks in the upcoming draft, but one that seems to be up in the air is the Memphis Grizzlies pick. They owe the pick to the Celtics if it is not in the top 8. (If it rolls over to 2020 it is only top 6 protected and it becomes unprotected in 2021)
The Grizzlies started off the season on a tear, but have cooled considerably since. If the season ended today they would be tied for the 8th worst record. That leads some to believe that they may be motivated to finally pull the plug on the core of Marc Gasol and Mike Conley.
One whisper making the rounds: Marc Gasol can become a free agent at season's and, amid a growing belief around the league that he will indeed exercise that option, Memphis could be moved to explore trading Gasol now rather than face the threat of losing him without compensation
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 15, 2019
This could end up being a good thing for the Celtics since they have enough picks projected in the upcoming NBA draft and the lure of a top 6 or eventual unprotected pick might be worth more on the trade market (or to the Celtics themselves).
Memphis has resisted the urge to dismantle the team in the past. However, they may reconsider based on the success that they’ve seen in picking Jaren Jackson Jr. high in this past year’s draft.
Just something to keep an eye on.