Jaylen Wells Edges Out Marcus Smart for Starting Small Forward Role

The Memphis Grizzlies are sitting petty with an 11-7 record ahead of their game against the Detroit Pistons tonight. Prior to the Grizzlies' last game against the Portland Trail Blazers, another shift was made in the starting unit with Jaylen Wells continuing to get the nod over Marcus Smart as he returned from an illness.

Jaylen Wells got his first start for the Grizzlies after Marcus Smart suffered an ankle injury at the end of October and hasn't relinquished the role in his two returns, first from the ankle injury then the illness. Jaylen Wells has started all 13 games since Smart's initial injury and scored a career-high 26 points with six threes made last Saturday against the Chicago Bulls before Smart returned Monday night.

The decision to make the switch comes as both a surprise and probably a necessity for the time being. Marcus Smart's fit as a starter was always a question due to his height and ability to consistently knock down the three-point shot. His game is similar but in a more elite and controlled capacity as former Grizzlies' forward Dillon Brooks and injuries opened the door for his role to be evaluated.

He only played 20 games last season (all starts) which presented opportunities for the young wings to develop and show promise as potential long-term starting options in Vince Williams Jr. and GG Jackson. However, off-season injuries for both players and a short three-game stint before reinjury for Williams Jr. and Marcus Smart's early season injury issues provided the rookie Wells with a major opportunity.

Coming into the season, Wells was expected to be a back half of the bench guy who could play when injuries occurred but wasn't expected to be a part of the main rotation. Instead, injuries provided the 2024 second-round draft pick a prime opportunity to play and start, and he has run with it to become one of the best rookies in the entire NBA.

Marcus Smart had started every game of his last three NBA seasons with the Memphis Grizzlies and Boston Celtics so expecting coach Taylor Jenkins to make the switch seemed daunting but Smart appears to have taken it with a grain of salt. Wells impressed him during the preseason and Smart is a winner and that is his sole focus right now.

As the Grizzlies continue to make lineup shifts amid the continuous rotating door of players being available and unavailable, Wells made his stake as being consistently available with consistent production. He has earned the starting role alongside the Grizzlies' big three and has a teammate who looks forward to seeing him relish the opportunity.