Things have gone downhill for the Grizzlies since Ja Morant's game-winner on October 29th in Phoenix. Following an NBA Cup collapse against the Lakers on Halloween night, Ja Morant was suspended by the team, and the team has responded poorly since then. It is difficult to find positives from recent games, but Cam Spencer has been a major bright spot for the Grizzlies.
After winning the 2024 NCAA Tournament with the Connecticut Huskies as a senior, Cam Spencer was selected 53rd overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2024 NBA Draft. Shortly after, the Grizzlies acquired his draft rights, and it is safe to say that Spencer and the Grizzlies have been a perfect pairing. His competitive nature and shooting have been a major boost for a struggling Grizzlies team.
It was difficult for Cam Spencer to carve out a role as a rookie due to multiple injuries that he suffered during the course of his first summer league and regular season. However, his limited sample size in the regular season left a lasting impression on the front office, and he was rewarded with a four-year, $10.5 million contract over the summer.
Cam Spencer is proving the Grizzlies right so far
This past offseason, the Grizzlies decided to let Luke Kennard walk in free agency. Despite Kennard having one of the highest three-point percentages in the NBA in recent seasons, his hesitation to shoot and his defense were contributing factors to the organization moving on. So far, the Grizzlies have made the right decision with Spencer stepping up as his replacement.
In 17.2 minutes per game, Spencer is averaging 9.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Most importantly, his shooting ability has really stood out, as he is shooting 47.7% from three on 4.9 attempts per game. Spencer has also shown major promise as a playmaker, recording a 27.8% assist percentage and 6.7 assists per 36 minutes.
Spencer showed some limitations as the primary ball handler during his only start against the Raptors, but he still plays very well alongside Ja Morant and makes smart reads as a playmaker. During the Grizzlies' most recent loss to the Rockets, Spencer scored 19 points and hit a career-high of five threes in the game. Most importantly, Spencer is unafraid to shoot when given the opportunity.
Looking to snap a four-game losing streak, the Grizzlies currently lack momentum, and Tuomas Iisalo's rotations are not maximizing the current roster. Ty Jerome and Zach Edey returning soon will provide a boost for the team, but they must return to winning ways even in their absence. There have been more negatives than positives so far for the Grizzlies, but Cam Spencer is proving that the Grizzlies were right to give him a standard contract.