Just thought I'd pass this along... Memphis Article With that money available to absorb Jackson's salary, and a first-round pick owed to them by Houston, the Grizzlies could entice the Warriors. The Grizzlies figure to outbid other suitors with higher draft picks. Although the Grizzlies would not offer their lottery pick (if Detroit does not claim it), they would be willing to part with the first-round pick they'll get from Houston. The Rockets must satisfy another part of the 1999 Steve Francis deal, which could provide the Grizzlies with a mid-round pick to dangle. Doesn't say when it's due...but it does imply that the Grizz don't value it like the high lotto pick it would be if it was due this year.
The pick is not lotto-protected. It might have some protection, but it's not top-13. However, Houston holds the option, meaning they can pay it in 2002 or wait until 2003. With the way this season is going, they'll wait for 2003. If things go according to plan and our top 8 players aren't injured, I think it's safe to assume it's a mid-rounder.
NBAdraft.net says it's lotto protected, so someone might ask them where they got their information. A couple of sources from 1999 I found in a Google search describe the pick simply as "a first-round pick in 2000, 2001, or 2002." If 2002 is the last year the Rockets can provide the pick, that would imply it's unprotected. Then again, I've often seen future picks mentioned only for a year in which they were conditional (with the assumed "or an unconditional pick the following year" left unreported) ... so it could be a lottery-protected pick through 2002, or an unprotected pick in 2003.
