Memphis has been notorious for its bad luck in the NBA lottery, so when the Minnesota logo came out of the envelope slated No. 6 and the Grizzlies actually moved into the top three, head coach and lottery representative Lionel Hollins could've at least cracked a smile.

Even though a No. 1 pick eluded the Grizzlies like it has every other year of their existence, they should be celebrating their highest pick since 2000, one that greatly improves their chances of getting back into contention sooner than later.

In a draft that's significantly less loaded than last year's, Memphis has a shot at every prospect not named Blake Griffin.

This year's consensus top prospect will be a Clipper. That much was clear listening to L.A.'s team president Andy Roeser, who reported that his team's scouts "have seen him a ton this year and they just rave about him" and alluded to Griffin being the type of potential star you don't pass up.

That means the draft really begins with the Grizzlies, who face a grueling decision over the next month.

The lottery gods gave Memphis the opportunity to publicly declare its confidence in Mike Conley by passing on Ricky Rubio in favor of Hasheem Thabbet. At the same time, management also has the opportunity to proclaim Rubio the answer, effectively putting Conley on the block. The most important development from Tuesday evening is that it will be their choice.

It would definitely be easier if Rubio or Thabeet just fell into their laps at No. 3, but by securing the second pick, Memphis has a rare opportunity to control its own destiny. Considering how often GM Chris Wallace and his brain trust are publicly chastised, this is a chance to prove they actually know what they're doing.

It's true, being cash-strapped in a small market ties management's hands to a point, but deciding whether to remain committed to Conley as the lead guard of the future is a decision that can be made strictly on basketball instincts alone.

Conley was the consolation prize in a 2007 draft Grizzlies fans hoped would yield Greg Oden or Kevin Durant. Marc Iavaroni lost faith in him by the middle of his second season, but following his dismissal and Hollins' arrival, the 21-year-old closed the regular season playing the best basketball of his career, averaging nearly 15 points and six assists.

Last man standing in a competition that included Kyle Lowry and Javaris Crittenton, Conley finally got healthy enough to show what assets his speed and athleticism can be. He improved his 3-point stroke to keep defenses from playing off of him and limiting his gifts, forming better chemistry with Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo.

The question now becomes whether he did enough with Hollins' trust for Memphis to avoid the temptation of Rubio, a prodigy of a floor general who the Grizzlies decision-makers are very familiar with. Given that Rubio has played with former standouts Pau Gasol and Juan Carlos Navarro, not to mention current center Marc Gasol, in Spanish national team competitions and league games, they have extensive knowledge on the 18-year-old from the time he hit puberty.

To pass on him means to get married to 7-foot-3 Hasheem Thabeet, a raw boom-or-bust type who comes into the league as a defensive specialist and rebounder first.

The Grizzlies have been size-challenged since trading Pau Gasol and could use Thabeet's height and shot-blocking prowess, but only if they come to the conclusion that Rubio wouldn't be a significant upgrade.

This is becoming a point guard's league. Between Tony Parker, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook, floor generals are dictating more and more of what happens on the floor. When you can get a franchise-altering presence and put the ball in his hands, making the right choice is a must.

Conley was expected to be an elite creator and despite a slow start, still might become that. Rubio is similarly expected to be special, but will have his own adjustments to make. It's a tough decision, but one that figures to have a massive impact on Memphis' future.

The choice between Rubio or Thabeet at No. 2 essentially boils down to the Rubio/Conley debate.

Last year, they appear to have gotten it right with trading up for O.J. Mayo, but this team hasn't exactly hit too many out of the park in the draft. The first pick in the franchise's existence was Bryant "Big Country" Reeves, and things haven't gotten all that much better from there. Last time they selected second, Stromile Swift was their choice.

Given all the losses and all those empty seats, Memphis can't really afford another mistake.

Tony Mejia is senior writer for ProBasketballNews.com. He can be reached at mejia@probasketballnews.com.