NBA: Trade could send Memphis Grizzlies to NBA purgatory

In their 11 previous seasons of existence, the Grizzlies advanced to the second round of the playoffs only once. That does not include six miserable years in Vancouver, where the club's high-water mark was 23-59 (. 280) in its final season (2000-01) before relocation.

Memphis seemed well on its way to further advancement this season, but did the franchise just trade away all that optimism?

Gone from River City are leading scorer Rudy Gay, Wayne Ellington, Marreese Speights, Hamed Haddadi and Josh Selby. New in town are Tayshaun Prince, Ed Davis, Austin Daye and Jon Leuer.

Memphis made an early statement this season as arguably the best team in the Western Conference, but it now could end up in jeopardy of missing the playoffs if Utah and Houston hold steady and the Los Angeles Lakers ever figure out things.

The Grizzlies were the early toast of the NBA when they got off to an 8-1 start that included home wins against Utah, Houston, Miami and New York, plus road wins at Golden State, Milwaukee and Oklahoma City — all teams that would qualify for the playoffs today.

Memphis was 18-6 when it got drilled 121-96 at Houston on Dec 21, and the Grizzlies have traded water ever since with a 12-10 record.