With the 48th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Grizzlies selected 22-year-old point guard Javon Small out of West Virginia. Listed at 6-foot-1 (without shoes) and 190 pounds, Javon Small showed great playmaking and scoring prowess in college, eventually earning an invite to the NBA Draft Combine. However, concerns about his height likely caused him to fall to the second round. Fortunately, his draft slide could prove to be beneficial to the Grizzlies long-term.
Small immediately showed his offensive upside this summer
Javon Small had a solid debut in the Salt Lake City Summer League as he ended with 4 points and 6 assists in just 19 minutes in the Grizzlies' 92-80 win over the Thunder. Despite missing multiple games in Utah and Las Vegas due to a groin injury, Small had a triumphant return in the last two games, averaging 17 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 7 assists in just 23.2 minutes per game.
In Las Vegas, Small recorded an impressive 7-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and showed a wide variety to his playmaking, whether it was in transition or operating in pick-and-roll. With Tuomas Iisalo's offensive style demanding a higher pace and a heavy emphasis on pick-and-roll, Small showed a great comfort level running Iisalo's offense and proved to be NBA-ready as a floor general.
Small recorded solid 47.6/50/88.9 shooting splits, but his scoring process makes those splits more impressive. Small was able to effectively create separation on his step-back and hit from mid-range and behind the arc. Small also displayed great body control, finishing at the rim and on his floaters. While there are always concerns about Summer League production translating to NBA action, Small's shot diet and feel as a playmaker should allow him to produce effectively in the NBA.
How Javon Small can earn a role in the Grizzlies' rotation
There is plenty to like about Small offensively, but his defense will be a deciding factor for any future NBA success. One of the recurring themes of the Grizzlies' draft selections this year was adding more grit. Javon Small fits this criteria perfectly, especially as a disruptive point-of-attack defender. Small will have to continue to grow his defensive playmaking off-ball, but at a baseline, he has shown a solid defensive level so far despite height concerns.
With Javon Small currently being on a two-way contract and the Grizzlies' backcourt looking crowded at the moment, it is hard to envision Small's immediate path to playing time in the Grizzlies' rotation. Despite this, young players in Memphis, such as Jaylen Wells and Scottie Pippen Jr., have forced the Grizzlies' hand and have eventually earned more playing time. It is not unreasonable to expect a similar trajectory for Javon Small in the coming months.
The NBA very likely let another first-round talent fall to the Grizzlies in the second round. While Small might not earn significant NBA minutes immediately, his skillset and competitive nature will allow him to have a bright future in Memphis. In a league that requires good roster building within the margins, Javon Small has the makings of the next great draft steal for the Grizzlies.