The Grizzlies selected Javon Small out of West Virginia with the 48th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft. The rookie is currently on a two-way contract, but he has made very strong use of his recent opportunities following the trade deadline.
Javon Small has reached double-digit scoring in five straight games, and the scoring upside from his Summer League campaign is finally showing. For the month of February, Small is currently averaging 13.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 24.4 minutes per game.
Most impressively, he is shooting 51% from three for the month. Even though his 3-point percentage will likely decrease as he plays more, it is clear that Small's shooting touch is finally starting to show.
Small was a rare bright spot in yesterday's loss
The Grizzlies suffered one of their worst defeats of the season as the Sacramento Kings ended their 16-game losing streak. While the Grizzlies did show some offensive flashes, they were simply overmatched defensively in the paint due to the lack of available bigs. However, turnovers and fouls on three-point shots ruined any chances of the Grizzlies making a fourth-quarter comeback.
Despite the ugly outcome for the Grizzlies, it was a wonderful showcase opportunity for Javon Small. Javon Small had his most well-rounded game as an NBA player so far, scoring 21 points while also adding 6 rebounds and 9 assists. Small's blend of playmaking and impressive shotmaking kept the Grizzlies competitive despite the team being so overmatched in the interior.
Small also went 4 for 5 from behind the arc, but what really stood out was how difficult some of the shotmaking was. For a Grizzlies team that needs reliable half-court scoring to accelerate their rebuild, Small is starting to show the signs of being a reliable scorer.
Is he a possible 2025 NBA Draft steal?
In a game featuring rookies Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud, Javon Small was arguably the most impressive of them all, despite being taken the latest in the 2025 NBA Draft. Despite a healthy Grizzlies' backcourt being one of the deeper position groups on the team, Small is making a very strong case to get more opportunities beyond this season.
Despite size concerns and being an older prospect for the 2025 NBA Draft, it is growing clearer that Small can hold his own offensively at the NBA level. Small was a bright spot on the Grizzlies' Summer League team this past summer, and his offensive game is slowly starting to translate more. While Ja Morant continues to recover from his recent injury, Small should continue getting opportunities for the foreseeable future.
The Grizzlies have found multiple gems in the second round, and it is possible that Javon Small is the next.