The Grizzlies have 20 games left on the year. In that time, the team should have certain definitive goals to accomplish to close out the season. While a promising start has resulted in a lost year, these quasi-exhibition games should be utilized to the fullest extent. These 20 games in the near term can be used to help achieve long term objectives. Here is what Memphis should focus on during the final stretch of the season.

Win Win Win

The Grizzlies scored a big win last night against the Lakers. One goal that was set before the season is still within reach: convey their 2019 first round pick to Boston. The pick owed to the Celtics is top 8 protected in 2019, top 6 protected in 2020, and unprotected in 2021.

The sooner the pick goes the better. The longer it takes to convey, Memphis is running the risk of sending a better pick in a year with a better draft class. The common refrain appears to be that 2019 is a one person draft. Sending a late lottery pick this year is the best case scenario.

Right now the Grizzlies have the 6th worst record in the league. They’re one game behind Washington for 7th, and three games behind both Dallas and New Orleans for 8th. It may be hard to catch any of the three, more so for Washington and Dallas. The Wizards and Mavericks are not tanking and have no desire to do so. While Washington foolishly is chasing the 8 seed in the East, the Mavericks will likely send their pick this year to Atlanta as a result of the Luka Doncic trade. This gives Dallas no incentive to lose games down the stretch.

This is why wins against the likes of the Lakers are crucial for Memphis. While it is unlikely the team can climb to the 8th or 9th worst record, it is important to try to win as much as possible for the remainder of the season.

Perserve Mike Conley

This runs entirely contradictory to the idea of winning as many games as possible, but the team also cannot jeopardize Conley’s health down the stretch. Resting him for the second game of some back-to-backs may be prudent.

The team wasn’t able to get a trade done with Utah, or anyone, for Conley before the deadline. It would be wise for the franchise to re-engage in trade talks regarding Conley in the summer to see if it makes sense long term to take any potential return for him. Considering this, should Conley be rehabbing any sort of semi-significant injury, it would tremendously impact his trade value.

Evaluate Avery Bradley

Sending away the expiring contracts of JaMychal Green and Garrett Temple for Avery Bradley was a curious move at best. However, in his second game with the team, Avery Bradley really flashed as if he were back in a Boston Jersey.

Bradley has a partial guarantee for the 2019-2020 season. His full salary would be $12.96 million, but the team can waive him and pay only $2 million. That is a lot of savings should the Grizzlies determine Bradley cannot hep them next year. However, finding out whether or not Bradley can help Memphis next season is a question that should be answered over these last 20 games. While Bradley has never looked the same outside of Boston, his career grades still show a good 3-and-D player should be in there somewhere.

Exercise Caution with JJJ

The team seems to already be taking this approach, as the Grizzlies announce Jaren Jackson Jr. “will be out indefinitely” with a deep thigh bruise. This is quite a shame, as the real goal should be developing Jackson as much as possible down the stretch.

Feeding Jackson and letting him increase his usage rate and also utilizing him as a center more often would have been the best things to do had he not been injured. It is important for Jackson to grow in terms of a skill set as well as confidence as much as possible to close out his rookie year. Sadly, this injury may prevent any further development.