With a 17-8 record and currently seeded at the number two position in the Western Conference standings, the Memphis Grizzlies have made their mark as a contender this season. While making their way back to the top of the standings, the team has a couple of players who figure to be in the mix to make an NBA All-Star weekend appearance on the court.
The team has a couple of players who have made NBA All-Star weekend appearances in the past and are on track to make a return this season. Others will be new to the festivities and would have earned the right to make the trip to San Francisco, California when the time arrives the second weekend in February.
1. Jaren Jackson Jr.
The former Defensive Player of the Year award recipient is having the best season of his career and is not only making a case to become an NBA All-Star but also to make an All-NBA team. Jaren Jackson Jr. is leading the Grizzlies in scoring (21.9 points) and blocks (1.9) while shooting a career-high from the field (51.7%).
It's safe to say that he is making the leap from All-Star to superstar status as one of the NBA's best players after making the All-Star team in the 2022-23 season. Jackson Jr.'s improvement on the offensive end of the court, combined with his already elite defensive ability has made him a comfortable favorite as a frontcourt selection for the Western Conference All-Star team.
2. Ja Morant
The Grizzlies superstar point guard has returned to the court this season on a mission to prove he is one of the NBA's best players while also allowing his teammates to get the shine they deserve. The pressure of him having to consistently score close to 30 points on a nightly basis has diminished with the rise of Jaren Jackson Jr.
JA MORANT WHAT ON EARTH pic.twitter.com/4sBynnu0sA
— eric (@EricTweetsNBA) December 8, 2024
That development has led to him averaging only 21.7 points but his 8.5 assists per game has him tied for fifth in the NBA this season. Morant has shown that he is still one of the most exciting players to watch in the league, so his popularity will help him gain a spot this season, granted he plays the majority of the Grizzlies' upcoming games.
3. Jaylen Wells
The NBA's Rising Stars Challenge format selects 12 rookies to play in their tournament-style format and Jaylen Wells has consistently been ranked in the top three of the NBA.com Rooke Ladder rankings since its first release. Wells also got recognition as the Western Conference's Rookie of the Month for the first month of the season.
The now-starting small forward will continue to get the opportunities to develop with the starting unit and help his case to make the Rising Stars Challenge. Wells is averaging 11.5 points and 24.8 minutes per game and has started 20 of the teams' 25 games this season.
4. Zach Edey
The Grizzlies' rookie big man started the season atop the rookie rankings and showed why he had that billing early on. An ankle injury has slowed down his progress as he has missed the team's last 11 games due to that injury.
However, he still ranks in the top 10 of the rookie rankings and is expected to return soon to make his case for making the Rising Stars challenge. He is averaging 11.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and one block per game while shooting 61% from the field and 60% from three this season.