Earlier this month, it felt like Vince Williams Jr. would be the odd man out of Memphis if the team just absolutely needed to open a roster spot. He missed the first four games of the season with an ankle/heel injury that also bothered him throughout last season, and received a DNP in the first game he was active this season.
With a team option for his contract that is a little over $2 million at the end of this season, and a deep guard and wing rotation on the horizon when healthy, Vince's time in Memphis seemed like a forgone conclusion. However, he received minutes early after his return due to other backcourt injuries and has had to take on an even bigger role as the starting point guard following more injuries.
His performance has not only solidified his status as a Memphis Grizzly but will bring questions about how he needs to keep playing when the team inevitably gets players back into the lineup from injury.
The Grizzlies' patience paid off with Vince Williams Jr.
Vince Williams Jr. was expected to compete for the starting small forward position in training camp last season before an injury caused him to miss the first 12 games of that season. Eventually, a severe ankle sprain limited him to only 27 games last season, leading to questions about his status with the team coming into this season.
Now he is taking full advantage of an opportunity to fill a huge need at a premier position that wasn't considered a primary position for him. Becoming the team's primary point guard and delivering near-franchise high single-game assists performances is making him a player who will find himself firmly in the playing rotation.
Mostly known for his defensive prowess, Vince Williams Jr. just dished out 17 assists against the New Orleans Pelicans, three games after dishing out 15 assists against the Sacramento Kings. Since being inserted as the starting point guard following Ja Morant's calf injury, Vince Williams Jr. is averaging 10.8 assists, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.4 steals.
His defensive tenacity has returned as he has returned to his healthy form he showed during the 2023-24 season, while showing a playmaking side the team tinkered with during that same season. Vince Williams Jr. has made Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo's job easier at the moment, but it will get difficult soon. He is a valuable member of the playing rotation, and the Grizzlies are grateful that he is proving just that.