The Grizzlies' struggles to begin the regular season coincided with the struggles of their second-year starting small forward. Following a rookie year that saw Jaylen Wells finish third in Rookie of the Year voting, the 6'7" surprise starter was expected to make a jump this season after the Grizzlies traded Desmond Bane this offseason.
The combination of him, Cedric Coward, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was supposed to provide better defensive versatility and consistent shooting than their wing groups in the past. Coward had as good a start as you could to a rookie season, but Wells and Caldwell-Pope couldn't buy a bucket before the Grizzlies' recent stretch.
Wells, specifically, looked like a player who might have gotten added pressure too soon in his career. However, his recent hot shooting stretch is proving that his start was just a cold streak that could only be snapped by staying the course.
The real Jaylen Wells has returned
Defensively, Jaylen Wells continued his role at a high level as the primary perimeter defender on the opposing team's best perimeter threat. He has been better at that role lately, playing next to other high-level perimeter defenders in Vince Williams Jr. and Cedric Coward while Ja Morant remains out with a calf strain.
Now the offense is catching up as he is nearing the same numbers he shot during his first team All-Rookie season. Specifically, during the Grizzlies' recent stretch of five wins in six games, Wells is averaging 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 54.5% shooting and 50% shooting from three.
His first 15 games of the regular season were so rough that his recent stretch brought his shooting percentages to 41.9% on field goals and 34.3% on threes this season. A key stat that has contributed to his rise in shooting is his free-throw attempts. Seven of Wells' first 15 games resulted in him ending with zero free throw attempts.
He has attempted 26 free throws in his last seven games, shooting 84.6% from the line. Any player's best method to snap out of a shooting funk is getting an easy shot from the free-throw line. He worked on utilizing more ways to score besides being a spot-up shooter this offseason, and he is becoming more consistent.
Doubters began to appear as Wells began the year in a sophomore slump. However, he has quickly quieted them as his turnaround is helping the Grizzlies turnaround their season around as well. His value to the team is being proven in real time, and it is altering the Grizzlies' season in a positive direction.