The Memphis Grizzlies finished the 2025-26 season with a 132-101 loss to the Houston Rockets on April 13, 2026, capping a five-game losing streak. This recent form of 0 wins and 5 losses positions the franchise at a crossroads, but new NBA draft lottery rules now incentivize them to return to their traditional competitive philosophy instead of tanking for a high pick.
How do the new NBA draft lottery rules work?
For decades, the worst teams had the best odds for the number one overall selection. That system is gone. Under the new format, the league's three worst teams enter a 'draft relegation' zone with just a 5.4% chance at the top pick. The seven teams that miss the play-in tournament now get the best odds, each at 8.1%. Even the ninth and tenth seeds, if they lose in the play-in, land with the same 5.4% odds as the bottom three. The league designed this to minimize teams deliberately losing games to improve their draft position.
Why should the Grizzlies aim for the play-in tournament?
You could say shoot for the moon. If you miss, you land among the stars. For Memphis, aiming for the play-in is the smart play. Landing in that sweet seven-team group for the 8.1% odds is difficult by design. The Grizzlies might as well try to win every game. If they succeed and make the play-in or even the playoffs, it means rookie Cameron Boozer is developing ahead of schedule. That success builds a winning culture and makes the team more attractive in free agency. An extra 2.7 percentage points in lottery odds arguably means less for Memphis than establishing a competitive identity. You can track their progress next season on our [standings](/standings) page.
What assets do the Grizzlies have for the future?
The tanking phase, which netted them Cameron Boozer with the third pick in 2026, is effectively over. Memphis still holds significant future draft capital to add young talent without losing on purpose. They control the most favorable 2027 first-round pick among the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Minnesota Timberwolves. Utah's pick can't land in the top five, but the Jazz will also be trying to win games. This gives the Grizzlies multiple avenues for improvement. Their history shows they've normally built through grit and competitiveness, not intentional losses. Now the league's rules finally reward that very approach. Why change a strategy that the new system actively encourages? The core, including Boozer, will look to build chemistry, and fans can follow player development through our [stats](/stats) hub.
