Will SPJ take advantage of a new opportunity in 2024-25?
Entering a pressure-packed season, the Memphis Grizzlies aren't looking to deviate from what has been fruitful in the past.
But they are also ready to see new faces emerge to help the franchise rediscover its winning direction.
Throughout the Summer League and now the NBA preseason, the Grizzlies, like many teams on the edge of entering contender status, are trying to gather enough information to construct a more reliable rotation they can deploy in the regular season.
The good news is that the team has multiple candidates with breakout written all over them. While fans were thrilled to see emerging guard GG Jackson this season before he broke his foot and have expectations for 24-year-old Vince Williams Jr., there is a unique buzz surrounding Scotty Pippen Jr. And, no, it's not only because of his name.
Ready for a significant impact?
The 6-foot-1 point guard has a star-caliber G League career under his belt. In 24 career games with the Memphis Hustle, he has averaged 20.7 points, 5.8 assists, and 4.6 rebounds. Although he is trying to shake through his 3-point struggles, he has showcased some promise by going from a 20.8% outside shooter in his first season with the Hustle to 30.0% last season.
In January, the Grizzlies inked the guard to a two-way pact. With the team battling a seriously depleted roster, Pippen Jr. appeared in 21 regular season games (16 starts) and demonstrated his worthiness on the next level. With Memphis having nothing to lose at the end of the season, the 23-year-old got the opportunity he was waiting for.
In the final 12 regular season games, Scotty logged eight games of 14 or more points, including a 28-point burst in a thrilling game against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The momentum from last season has the rising guard on the radar. In a recent , The Athletic's John Hollinger compiled a list of players positioned to spring into the limelight in 2024–25. Pippen Jr. is a breakout candidate, especially with the Grizzlies' hole at the backup point guard position and the unpredictability of Ja Morant.
"Can Pippen shoot well enough from a distance, avoid the turnovers and over-driving that plagued his early career, and hold down the job all year? If so, he has a great chance of being promoted to a roster contract sometime before he hits the limit of 50 active games on a two-way. And the Grizzlies, in turn, would have a much better chance of returning to their previous perch near the top of the Western Conference," Hollinger wrote .
With the Western Conference loading up on star talent and rich depth, Memphis' vacant backup point guard spot becomes more glaring. Morant's health has already sent a wave of paranoia through the Grizzlies fan base after he limped off the court in his team's preseason opener.
The G League star is unpolished but has the skill set to achieve big. The opportunity he has now is one he may not have again if he can't make the most of it. The team has expressed its confidence in the young guard and aims to put him in a position to succeed. A strong preseason will do wonders for Scotty. And if he bundles last season's momentum with a solid start to this season, he'll be well on his way to securing a standard contract.
Related: Edey is embracing the early challenges and wants to set the tone for a strong rookie seasonThis story was originally published October 16, 2024, 6:30 PM.
