Discover rising stars like GG Jackson and Jaylen Wells as they showcase their potential, hinting at a bright future beyond current rebuilding challenges.
With the Memphis Grizzlies firmly in rebuilding mode, the latest episode of the GrizzliesRoundtable podcast focused less on wins and losses and more on what this young roster is revealing about its long-term potential.
Host Grant Afseth and analyst James Piercey highlighted several standout performances since the All-Star break, while acknowledging the challenges of developing a deep group of young players without a true star at the center of it all.
GG Jackson has been the headliner. The 21-year-old forward is averaging 17.6 points since the break on 57.7% shooting, including 44% from 3-point range on 3.6 attempts per game. He is also contributing 7.1 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game.
"He's got scoring talent," Afseth said. "He can put the ball on the floor. The continued growth — I think that will be important."
Afseth noted he spoke with Jackson during the team's recent stop in Dallas and came away impressed by the forward's self-awareness and focus on development. Piercey offered a Lauri Markkanen comparison in terms of archetype, with the caveat that Jackson's 3-point shooting will need to trend upward to make that ceiling realistic.
Jaylen Wells has also turned heads after a slow start to the season. The second-year wing is averaging 15.3 points on 53.2% from the floor and 44.4% from 3 since the break. Alongside Cedric Coward, who Piercey called a player with "bonafide star upside," the two are emerging as a potentially formidable wing tandem.
"Wells is one of those guys that a team probably never trades," Piercey said. "He's just a really solid 3-and-D guy."
Olivier-Maxence Prosper received a standard contract conversion from his two-way deal Tuesday, the same day the episode was recorded. The 23-year-old forward has been efficient in a small-ball five role since the break, shooting 64.9% on 2-point attempts and averaging 2.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game, though his 3-point volume and percentage have dipped.
Walter Clayton Jr. raised eyebrows with back-to-back games of 14 and 9 assists, including the 14-dime performance against Indiana. Both analysts pointed to his passing IQ as legitimate, while flagging his sub-30% 3-point shooting as an area that must improve for him to hold a meaningful role on a competitive roster.
Memphis has been without Santi Aldama, Cedric Coward, and Ty Jerome on a rotating basis due to injury, giving other players extended opportunities. Piercey acknowledged the roster is caught between competing and maximizing lottery odds, noting every win since the break has come against a losing team.
"If we assume it's not a Darryn Peterson," Piercey said, referring to a top draft prospect, "that could be fine. It's like a depth team — we got a number of ways to beat you."
Ja Morant, still sidelined, has no confirmed return timeline heading into the final stretch of the regular season.