After alternating wins and losses in their first five games, the Grizzlies have lost two straight games while dealing with turmoil surrounding their star point guard, Ja Morant. Following a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team, Morant will return to the team for their four-game homestand this week against teams that are expected to contend for the playoffs in their respective conferences.
While the Morant news was front and center in the Grizzlies' loss to the Lakers on Halloween night, his one-game absence highlighted a continued disturbing trend among one of their key starters. Jaylen Wells hasn't had the greatest start to his sophomore season with increased responsibility following the departure of Desmond Bane this summer. There's a grace period due to how injuries impacted the end of his rookie season, but the Grizzlies need him to snap out of his funk quickly.
Would a new role suit Wells better?
Jaylen Wells started 74 games last season and finished third in the Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 10.4 points and 3.4 rebounds on 42.5% shooting from the field and 35.2% shooting from three. Head coach Tuomas Iisalo tasked Wells with doing more with the ball in his hands this offseason and during the preseason to decent results that haven't translated to the regular season yet.
Through seven games, Wells is averaging 10 points on 35.2% shooting from the field and 25.6% shooting from three, which is a far cry from his league-average shooting last season. Also, the additional volume of shot creation he displayed during the summer and preseason hasn't manifested itself as he has reverted back to mostly being a catch-and-shoot option during the season.
Grizzlies' rookie wing Cedric Coward has made waves to start the season with his efficiency coming off the bench. He is averaging 15 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.1 steals, while shooting 58.7% from the field and 47.8% from three. Fans and media have already begun murmuring about when it is time for Coward to enter the starting lineup.
That kind of efficiency could provide wonders to a team that has consistently gotten off to slow starts to begin games this season. If and when Coward enters the starting lineup, either Jaylen Wells or Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will revert to a bench role. Wells has mostly gotten the assignment of guarding the opposing team's top perimeter threat, but Caldwell-Pope has provided better secondary playmaking (averaging 4.3 assists).
Regardless of what happens to Jaylen Wells' role moving forward, the Grizzlies need him to at least return to his promising showing on offense from his rookie season. His defense has remained what the team thought it would be, but they need more from him offensively if he wants to hold onto his starting position.