Does it matter if top prospects don't work out for Memphis Grizzlies?

The Memphis Grizzlies are ranked 26th in the NBA by ESPN, and while that may seem low for a team with top draft capital, both Joe Mullinax and DeMichael Cole agree the ranking is fair given the current roster's uncertainty. With key players like Ja Morant still on the roster and the team undergoing a major rebuild, the Grizzlies lack proven consistency beyond a few young talents like Cedric Howard and Zach Eadie. The real focus, however, isn’t on the current roster’s flaws—it’s on the future. The podcast explores how Memphis could position itself as a third-party facilitator in the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, potentially landing Tyler Herro in a three-team deal with Miami and Boston. Herro’s expiring contract offers Memphis a low-risk, high-reward opportunity: a year-long audition to see if he fits in Memphis, with the chance to re-sign him or use the cap space for future moves. The hosts also dismiss concerns about top prospects skipping workouts in Memphis, arguing that for lottery-bound players, the draft order is already secured, and the financial upside of a first-round pick makes pre-draft workouts irrelevant. The real value lies in film, interviews, and organizational fit—not a single workout. The episode underscores a shift in Grizzlies strategy: from chasing immediate contention to building a sustainable, operationally strong team.