The NBA trade deadline was eventful in a direction many of the Grizzlies' fanbase didn't expect it to be. The worst-case scenario for the fanbase's minds was the team would stand pat, and the best case was the team would make a significant move to add a piece to give them championship favorites status.
Well, the Grizzlies did neither, as they attached this year's first-round pick to create salary cap space by trading Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia to consolidate their now fully healthy roster. General Manager Zach Kleiman mentioned in his media availability the day after the trade deadline that none of the players the Grizzlies went after were moved.
While those players can be left up to interpretation, the Grizzlies decided that they would allow their trio of young wings to step up while the NBA Buyout market makes its presence. The Grizzlies can create a roster spot if they decide to waive recently acquired guard Johnny Davis to fulfill what they missed at the deadline.
However, one of their young wings flashed what most thought he would be as one of their only bright spot in their loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at home last Saturday night.
Vince Williams Jr. will make the biggest impact
The Grizzlies suffered a 125-112 defeat to the Thunder in a game where they trailed by as many as 28 points. While the team collectively struggled, there were only three players with a positive plus/minus with Vince Williams Jr. being the highest with a +10 in 15 minutes of play.
Their loss to the Thunder marked only the fifth game played this season by Williams Jr. as he has dealt with a tibial stress reaction (12 games missed) and a grade 3 ankle sprain (35 games missed). The 6'4" third-year wing was expected to be a huge contributor to the team this season after being one of the team's only bright spots in their injury-filled season last year.
shoutout Vince Williams Jr. 🫡
— Grind City Media (@grindcitymedia) February 10, 2025
his defense and energy was a bright spot in a tough grizz loss @ChrisVernonShow pic.twitter.com/TwcAOqf0uK
His toughness on the defensive end and playmaking/shooting on offense made him a candidate for the starting small forward position with his 6'11" wingspan. In only his second game back from his 35-game absence he displayed the toughness the Grizzlies were severly lacking throughout their battle against the Thunder.
There was a late-third quarter to mid-fourth quarter sequence when he spearheaded a comeback the Grizzlies made cutting a 28-point deficit down to 12 points when he sat for the rest of the game. In that timeframe, he scored seven points and forced Thunder star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander into his fifth foul.
As he continues to play his way into playing shape to handle longer minutes, Vince Williams Jr. can make his impact felt and will be relied upon to be the Grizzlies' enforcer on the perimeter. Health made many forget about his impact last season, but a nine-minute stretch during the second half of their last game reminded the fanbase about what he can bring to the table.