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The Memphis Grizzlies are embarking on a fresh chapter following the blockbuster trade that sent superstar guard Ja Morant to the Portland Trail Blazers. With Cam Boozer now anchoring the franchise and a flurry of offseason roster adjustments, a subtle yet significant battle has surfaced at the point guard position.
Among the players vying for minutes, Scotty Pippen Jr. has found himself somewhat lost in the shuffle. With Morant's departure and Ty Jerome expected to take the reins as the opening-night starter, the backup spot has become a focal point of discussion.
Javon Small, the 2025 second-round pick, boosted his stock with an impressive Summer League showing, while Walter Clayton Jr., acquired in the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade, sat out Summer League action. Cam Spencer, who raised his scoring average by 6.9 points to 11.1 per game last season, is also eyeing an expanded role.
For Pippen Jr., being underestimated is a familiar narrative. Undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 2022, he has clawed for every opportunity. During his collegiate career, he earned All-SEC First Team honors twice, posting averages of 17.5 points, 4.2 assists, and 1.6 steals across 90 games.
His professional journey began with the Los Angeles Lakers on a two-way contract, debuting on Oct. 18, 2022, against the Golden State Warriors. Before the 2023-24 season, the Lakers waived him, sending him back to the G League's South Bay Lakers. Undeterred, Pippen Jr. continued to grind, and his standout G League play earned him another two-way deal on Jan. 16, 2024, this time with the Grizzlies.
In a season marred by injuries—Morant's shoulder surgery, Marcus Smart's finger issue, and Derrick Rose's various ailments—Pippen Jr. stepped up on both ends of the floor. Over 21 games, including 16 starts, he averaged 12.9 points, 4.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals, demonstrating his ability to score, facilitate, and defend elite guards.
His performance secured a four-year, $9.6 million contract on Oct. 15, 2024, keeping him with Memphis through the 2027-28 season, with a team option for the final year. The following season, his numbers dipped slightly as Morant and Desmond Bane resumed primary scoring duties, but Pippen Jr. still managed 9.9 points, 4.4 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 21.3 minutes per game across 79 appearances.
When thrust into a starting role, he flourished, averaging 14.2 points, 5.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals while shooting 46.1% from beyond the arc in 21 starts. His playoff pedigree is undeniable, too. Against the eventual champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 playoffs, he averaged 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in the series sweep, highlighted by a 30-point, 11-rebound, four-assist outburst in Game 4 after Morant was sidelined with a hip injury.
Key Analysis
Despite a toe injury limiting him to just 10 games in the 2025-26 season, Pippen Jr. has repeatedly proven his resilience. He has spent his career fighting for chances, from going undrafted to grinding through the G League to securing a guaranteed NBA deal. Now, with Memphis in transition and minutes up for grabs, Pippen Jr. has another opportunity to demonstrate his worth. The competition for the starting point guard spot is wide open, and Pippen Jr.'s track record suggests he should not be counted out.