Grizzlies Do Raptors a Huge Favor as Margin for 6th Shrinks
Thank you, Memphis.
That seems to be the sentiment in Toronto following another victory by the Memphis Grizzlies that will pull the Toronto Raptors even closer to the sixth-worst record in the NBA.
Wednesday’s 115-109 upset of the Philadelphia 76ers has now pulled Memphis with 1.5 games of the Raptors for what would be a 45.8% chance at landing a top-six pick in the NBA Draft this summer. That margin will likely fall to just one game assuming the Raptors lose to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday night.
These tiny margins may be huge for Toronto when the draft lottery rolls around as the Raptors have just a 32% of keeping their own pick as the seventh-worst team in the NBA this year. That number increases by 13.8% if they can slip below the Grizzlies.
The Brooklyn Nets’ victory Tuesday night should help Toronto too as it gives the Raptors a little more breathing room ahead of Brooklyn. The Nets currently sit two back of Toronto with just a 26.3% chance of landing a pick in the top six.
Toronto has publicly conveyed a disinterest in tanking, but injuries to Scottie Barnes and Jakob Poeltl have left the Raptors bereft of much talent. They have a slightly tougher remaining schedule than Memphis over the final 20 games too, making it entirely realistic that Toronto does drop behind the Grizzlies in the reverse standings.
Toronto’s pick is owed to the San Antonio Spurs from last year’s trade for Jakob Poeltl. If the pick is not conveyed this year, the top-six protections roll over through the next two seasons before becoming two second-round picks owed in 2027.
