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Grizzlies start, bench, cut: David Roddy, Luke Kennard, Ziaire Williams

By Mark Nilon

Mar 31, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) shoots a three point basket during the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard (10) shoots a three point basket during the first half against the Los Angeles Clippers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Ziaire Williams of the Memphis Grizzlies against the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
Ziaire Williams of the Memphis Grizzlies against the Golden State Warriors. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images) /

Cut: Ziaire Williams

As noted earlier, cut in this instance is not being used in the technical term but, rather, that we’re removing said player from the conversation of who should be utilized as a primary wing option within Jenkins’ rotation this season.

Unfortunately, the clear choice for the label seems to be Ziaire Williams.

Since being selected 10 overall back in the 2021 NBA Draft, the youngster has shown flashes at times of having the potential to become a quality two-way contributor at the professional level, though has yet to showcase this skillset on a consistent basis.

While his rookie season was by no means anything to gush over (8.1 points and 2.0 rebounds per game), in year two the former lottery pick took a step back in virtually every way imaginable.

Of course, it must be acknowledged that Williams did endure several injuries throughout his sophomore campaign, but it does not completely exonerate him from his lackluster averages of just 5.7 points and 2.1 rebounds on 42.9 percent shooting from the field.

Even his “best” stretch of the year was far from impressive, as he still saw mediocre averages of 6.5 points and 2.7 rebounds through 25 games from December 17 through February 2.

Still only 22 years old, Williams still seems to possess an intriguing amount of presumed untapped potential within his game. That said, at this point, perhaps it would be best for the Grizzlies to try and sell high on said attribute on the trade market rather than attempt to put it to the test within the primary rotation.

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