Game 26: Memphis Grizzlies (8-17) vs. Washington Wizards (7-16) - 8:00 PM ET

[ducler]

Read on Twitter

[VCfor3]

Hot dang those youngins are good!

I think Ja, JJJ, and Clarke are our core with Brooks as our future 6th man. They combined to score 86 points on 32/52 shooting. I can live with not keeping our pick when our young guys have games where they shoot just over 61% from the field and almost 43% from deep. We got soo lucky and now we have one of the more entertaining teams in the league!

[Whole Truth]

Hot dang those youngins are good!

I think Ja, JJJ, and Clarke are our core with Brooks as our future 6th man. They combined to score 86 points on 32/52 shooting. I can live with not keeping our pick when our young guys have games where they shoot just over 61% from the field and almost 43% from deep. We got soo lucky and now we have one of the more entertaining teams in the league!

I was going to upvote you but I disagree with you on not keeping the pick. It could be the difference between being good & being a potential champion. The Wizards are bad, I wouldn't read too much into this win.

[Whole Truth]

Wizards need to do what's best for both player & team, cash in Beal's value. He'll be 27/8, up for a supermax extension in 2yrs & they're nowhere close to utilizing his court value. They would be in a much better situation if they traded him for a pick package, clear salary.

At this rate they only stand to lose potential value on their best asset.

[SD2042]

Wizards need to do what's best for both player & team, cash in Beal's value. He'll be 27/8, up for a supermax extension in 2yrs & they're nowhere close to utilizing his court value. They would be in a much better situation if they traded him for a pick package, clear salary.

At this rate they only stand to lose potential value on their best asset.

The Wizards will put Beal on the market just like the Cavs are doing with Kevin Love. It's inevitable that these moves will happen. The questions is how much value will be receive for both players and who will the new team(s) will be?

[Jamaaliver]

Wizards need to do what's best for both player & team, cash in Beal's value.They would be in a much better situation if they traded him for a pick package, clear salary.

At this rate they only stand to lose potential value on their best asset.

The Wizards will put Beal on the market just like the Cavs are doing with Kevin Love. It's inevitable that these moves will happen. The questions is how much value will be receive for both players and who will the new team(s) will be?

I've expressed the exact same sentiment over on the Wizards board...and they get incredibly defensive over the thought of it. They're still at the point that they'd rather lose with Beal than rebuild without him.

But I agree, it is inevitable. (Beal may have to be the one who forces his way out, though.)

[SD2042]

Wizards need to do what's best for both player & team, cash in Beal's value.They would be in a much better situation if they traded him for a pick package, clear salary.

At this rate they only stand to lose potential value on their best asset.

The Wizards will put Beal on the market just like the Cavs are doing with Kevin Love. It's inevitable that these moves will happen. The questions is how much value will be receive for both players and who will the new team(s) will be?

I've expressed the exact same sentiment over on the Wizards board...and they get incredibly defensive over the thought of it. They're still at the point that they'd rather lose with Beal than rebuild without him.

But I agree, it is inevitable. (Beal may have to be the one who forces his way out, though.)

I can understand the Wizards fans sentiments. It's already hard when your team gets decimated to injuries like John Wall(last season) and having to break the team down further like trading Otto Porter nearly a year ago. This team is in transition to a rebuild. Trading Bradley Beal will complete the circle. The Wizards and the fans will come to terms sooner or later. Just get the best deal and build the new foundation for the future.

[Whole Truth]

Wizards need to do what's best for both player & team, cash in Beal's value. He'll be 27/8, up for a supermax extension in 2yrs & they're nowhere close to utilizing his court value. They would be in a much better situation if they traded him for a pick package, clear salary.

At this rate they only stand to lose potential value on their best asset.

The Wizards will put Beal on the market just like the Cavs are doing with Kevin Love. It's inevitable that these moves will happen. The questions is how much value will be receive for both players and who will the new team(s) will be?

I believe when rumors about him came up last year, it was a young player & 2 1st's but value is relative to perception. One mans garbage...

I think Wizards would jump at the Grizz top 5 pick, if offered.

At that point. My question would be. If Edwards was available at the Grizz selection, would you take Edwards on rookie scale or trade for the proven Beal, who'll soon be maxed out at 27/8 ?. I've gone back & forth on the idea of potentially trading for him. Every time Memphis get scoring from their wing/Brooks, they've won & their are few better scorer's/floor spacers than Beal. Down side being age & contract.

Edwards, Utah 1st, GS 1st.... I don't know, it would have to come down to how Memphis feel about the potential top 6 pick.

[Whole Truth]

Wizards need to do what's best for both player & team, cash in Beal's value.They would be in a much better situation if they traded him for a pick package, clear salary.

At this rate they only stand to lose potential value on their best asset.

The Wizards will put Beal on the market just like the Cavs are doing with Kevin Love. It's inevitable that these moves will happen. The questions is how much value will be receive for both players and who will the new team(s) will be?

I've expressed the exact same sentiment over on the Wizards board...and they get incredibly defensive over the thought of it. They're still at the point that they'd rather lose with Beal than rebuild without him.

But I agree, it is inevitable. (Beal may have to be the one who forces his way out, though.)

Fans are hardly ever rational in thought. The fact that they got defensive shows their opinions are coming from emotion rather than logic. The Hard truth is that if they managed to draft a good player this year, he'll still probably take a couple years to develop in a best case scenario. They could draft a dud. Then they would have to probably tweak the roster to get the most out of it. By that time Beal would be around 30 & most likely on a supermax. He just doesn't fit where their timeline currently is.

Now, Memphis on the other hand, while young, have 2 corner stones & need a scoring wing. Where they can offer a rebuilding package for Beal, spend the next couple years tweaking a core of Jaren/Clarke/Josh?/Beal/Ja.

Last years champions Raptors vs this potential.

Gasol - 3J = Defensive C who can space the floor, Gasol IQ > currently. 3J's ceiling >

Pascal - Clarke = Versatile, quick, efficient forward who can pressure a defense with their speed & athleticism

OG - Josh/Okoro = 3&D SF, defensive specialist with Josh having potential to be a point forward.

2 6' PG lineup FVV/Lowry - Beal/Ja = dribble penetration, playmaking, scoring, spacing with Beal & Ja having better size, length & athleticism. Ja's ceiling >

I think if everything breaks right, Memphis could be a better version of the current Raptors because of the ceilings for Jaren & Ja.

Problem is, Beal seems content in Washington & I'm not sure if Edwards or Anthony are a potential solution.

[SD2042]

Wizards need to do what's best for both player & team, cash in Beal's value.They would be in a much better situation if they traded him for a pick package, clear salary.

At this rate they only stand to lose potential value on their best asset.

The Wizards will put Beal on the market just like the Cavs are doing with Kevin Love. It's inevitable that these moves will happen. The questions is how much value will be receive for both players and who will the new team(s) will be?

I've expressed the exact same sentiment over on the Wizards board...and they get incredibly defensive over the thought of it. They're still at the point that they'd rather lose with Beal than rebuild without him.

But I agree, it is inevitable. (Beal may have to be the one who forces his way out, though.)

Fans are hardly ever rational in thought. The fact that they got defensive shows their opinions are coming from emotion rather than logic. The Hard truth is that if they managed to draft a good player this year, he'll still probably take a couple years to develop in a best case scenario. They could draft a dud. Then they would have to probably tweak the roster to get the most out of it. By that time Beal would be around 30 & most likely on a supermax. He just doesn't fit where their timeline currently is.

Now, Memphis on the other hand, while young, have 2 corner stones & need a scoring wing. Where they can offer a rebuilding package for Beal, spend the next couple years tweaking a core of Jaren/Clarke/Josh?/Beal/Ja.

Last years champions Raptors vs this potential.

Gasol - 3J = Defensive C who can space the floor, Gasol IQ > currently. 3J's ceiling >

Pascal - Clarke = Versatile, quick, efficient forward who can pressure a defense with their speed & athleticism

OG - Josh/Okoro = 3&D SF, defensive specialist with Josh having potential to be a point forward.

2 6' PG lineup FVV/Lowry - Beal/Ja = dribble penetration, playmaking, scoring, spacing with Beal & Ja having better size, length & athleticism. Ja's ceiling >

I think if everything breaks right, Memphis could be a better version of the current Raptors because of the ceilings for Jaren & Ja.

Problem is, Beal seems content in Washington & I'm not sure if Edwards or Anthony are a potential solution.

It's possible that if your profile tracks with your theory that the Grizzlies could be on track to mimic the Raptors based on player personnel. What has to happen afterwards is to build up the experience both career and playoff wise.

As for what's in bold, I can't say for sure if Beal is content with the Wizards. For all we know, he's simply bidding his time until the moment comes for him to ask for a trade. He knows he's ineligible to be traded until the off-season due to the contract he signed.

[Whole Truth]

It's possible that if your profile tracks with your theory that the Grizzlies could be on track to mimic the Raptors based on player personnel. What has to happen afterwards is to build up the experience both career and playoff wise.

As for what's in bold, I can't say for sure if Beal is content with the Wizards. For all we know, he's simply bidding his time until the moment comes for him to ask for a trade. He knows he's ineligible to be traded until the off-season due to the contract he signed.

I don't know if you remember but during the draft my player comp for Clarke, was Pascal. Clarke is actually a lot further ahead than I thought he would be shooting the 3 ball. Pascal took a couple seasons & a g-league stint to find his game/range coming into the league also at 23. Clarke actually has the higher IQ & is a better defender than Pascal but he lacks Pascal's ability to create for himself, though I'm hoping for some development there. He probably won't make the leap Pascal has offensively but I wouldn't be shocked if he did, Pascal's handles & deceptive length give him the advantage there.

Jam has posted it a couple times. Clarke's efficiency is already among the leagues best & while Clarke cannot currently create for himself like Pascal, he does put a similar pressure on a defense with his athleticism & speed. I love his floater, it's simple, it's money.

Where Jaren is concerned with his defensive ceiling combined with his ability to space the floor, 3pt efficiency scoring, he only needs to develop his passing to really open up his skill set & the opposing teams defense. He's far more mobile than Gasol on both ends. At 20, it's not hard to imagine his ball IQ getting better & his body getting stronger. Add in some ball fakes & I imagine he will open the court up immensely for Ja's driving ability. Doesn't hurt that Clarke is already shooting the 3 ball at a 40+% clip.

Unlike other rebuilding teams, these players skillset fit.. 3J/Clarke...Ja. Clarke & Ja had instant chemistry. What I haven't mentioned in game threads is that Ja is steadily getting better at running the p'n'r. Nice to see him show flashes defensively as Vic pointed out. It'll help when he's playing with 3J & Clarke instead of Jonas. Jonas needs better ball pressure than what Ja can currently provide, he also needs more touches than what he's currently getting but I could see that being rectified in a role off the bench with defensive players like Anderson, Brooks, Allen, Melton. Think Jonas & Melton once they build some chemistry can compliment each others games on both ends.

[VCfor3]

I do like your idea of pairing Melton with Jonas. Could help shore the defense up some when JV is on the court. We need Brooks in the starting lineup for his shooting, but having him come off the bench and Melton start at SG may be helpful. Brooks can then be more selfish when he has the ball like he usually is and it isn't as big of a deal. Melton can better play within the flow of offense and guard the opposing top guard while helping with our rebounding.

I also wish Ja/Melton/Anderson/Clarke/JJJ would get some run. Would be disruptive on the defensive end while having multiple capable ball handlers on the offensive end. Melton/Clarke/JJJ already seem to play well and have almost a +15 plus/minus per 100 possessions in 50+ minutes of play.

[Whole Truth]

I do like your idea of pairing Melton with Jonas. Could help shore the defense up some when JV is on the court. We need Brooks in the starting lineup for his shooting, but having him come off the bench and Melton start at SG may be helpful. Brooks can then be more selfish when he has the ball like he usually is and it isn't as big of a deal. Melton can better play within the flow of offense and guard the opposing top guard while helping with our rebounding.

I also wish Ja/Melton/Anderson/Clarke/JJJ would get some run. Would be disruptive on the defensive end while having multiple capable ball handlers on the offensive end. Melton/Clarke/JJJ already seem to play well and have almost a +15 plus/minus per 100 possessions in 50+ minutes of play.

I think Melton needs a tighter handle, he's had some costly TO's. Depending on how the offseason shakes out, I think Jonas & Brooks supplying the offensive punch off the bench with Brooks/Anderson sharing the ball handling duties with Melton would help hide some of his weaknesses while he can pressure the ball to help compliment Jonas defensive weakness. IMO that unit would make for solid depth, very little drop off when the starters sit, close some of the weak links in the chain for Memphis.

[VCfor3]

I do like your idea of pairing Melton with Jonas. Could help shore the defense up some when JV is on the court. We need Brooks in the starting lineup for his shooting, but having him come off the bench and Melton start at SG may be helpful. Brooks can then be more selfish when he has the ball like he usually is and it isn't as big of a deal. Melton can better play within the flow of offense and guard the opposing top guard while helping with our rebounding.

I also wish Ja/Melton/Anderson/Clarke/JJJ would get some run. Would be disruptive on the defensive end while having multiple capable ball handlers on the offensive end. Melton/Clarke/JJJ already seem to play well and have almost a +15 plus/minus per 100 possessions in 50+ minutes of play.

I think Melton needs a tighter handle, he's had some costly TO's. Depending on how the offseason shakes out, I think Jonas & Brooks supplying the offensive punch off the bench with Brooks/Anderson sharing the ball handling duties with Melton would help hide some of his weaknesses while he can pressure the ball to help compliment Jonas defensive weakness. IMO that unit would make for solid depth, very little drop off when the starters sit, close some of the weak links in the chain for Memphis.

Yeah Melton is best as a secondary ball handler. Putting him with either Tyus, Ja, or even Anderson is probably the best path forward.

[Whole Truth]

I do like your idea of pairing Melton with Jonas. Could help shore the defense up some when JV is on the court. We need Brooks in the starting lineup for his shooting, but having him come off the bench and Melton start at SG may be helpful. Brooks can then be more selfish when he has the ball like he usually is and it isn't as big of a deal. Melton can better play within the flow of offense and guard the opposing top guard while helping with our rebounding.

I also wish Ja/Melton/Anderson/Clarke/JJJ would get some run. Would be disruptive on the defensive end while having multiple capable ball handlers on the offensive end. Melton/Clarke/JJJ already seem to play well and have almost a +15 plus/minus per 100 possessions in 50+ minutes of play.

I think Melton needs a tighter handle, he's had some costly TO's. Depending on how the offseason shakes out, I think Jonas & Brooks supplying the offensive punch off the bench with Brooks/Anderson sharing the ball handling duties with Melton would help hide some of his weaknesses while he can pressure the ball to help compliment Jonas defensive weakness. IMO that unit would make for solid depth, very little drop off when the starters sit, close some of the weak links in the chain for Memphis.

Yeah Melton is best as a secondary ball handler. Putting him with either Tyus, Ja, or even Anderson is probably the best path forward.

I'm thinking

Memphis give him a chance & like what they see from Josh as a potential defensive point forward.
Trade their pick capital for Beal.

Starters - Jaren/Clarke/Josh/Beal/Ja

3 + forward defenders supporting an offensive backcourt with Clarke showing surprising growth from 3, Josh is shooting 40+ % in the g league which should translate & 3J can stretch the paint. Combined with teams needing to respect Beal's range will open all kinds of driving lanes & paint for Ja if Memphis is not getting out in transition. Whether Josh is in the mix or not, I'd love Okoro to be a potential addition.

Bench - Jonas/Anderson/Brooks/Allen/Melton with maybe Bruno in the mix

2 scorers, one efficient post threat, 3 potential ball handlers other than Melton with everyone but Jonas being solid defenders coming off the bench.

[VCfor3]

I'm not counting on Josh Jackson for anything