Following a putrid 27-55 regular season finish that saw injuries and absences galore, Memphis Grizzlies fans are champing at the bit as they wait for their favorite club to hit the hardwood once again for what many are projecting to be a bounce-back 2024-25 campaign.
With the likes of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane all slated to be a full-go come October's tip-off, hope of a resurgence season is very much alive, while the prospects of them finally having a full offseason to strengthen chemistry with teammates both old and new only increases the excitement among the franchise's faithful followers.
Of course, simply improving upon their 13 place Western Conference finish is far from the main goal for Taylor Jenkins and company coming into the new league year.
Headlined by two proven All-Stars and a slew of budding studs in tow, the objective for the Grizzlies is to vie for league supremacy and thrust themselves into the legitimate title contender conversation.
Doing so will take both health (something they seriously lacked last season) and a full team effort, and there are a few players, in particular, who must be at the top of their game to help them accomplish such lofty goals.
Biggest X-Factors on Memphis Grizzlies heading into 2024-25 season
Scotty Pippen Jr.
Though he may not be a full-scale player, Scotty Pippen Jr. could become one of the most important role players on the Grizzlies during the 2024-25 season.
A quarterback on the court who has proven capable of running an offense in a similar vein as beloved former backup Tyus Jones, the 23-year-old is truly unique in the fact that he's coming into his third year in the association already having produced admirably while playing a consistent role within a rotation, though is still only attached to a two-way deal.
THAT'S ALL OUT 😤
— Grind City Media (@grindcitymedia) April 13, 2024
YUHHHHHH @spippenjr pic.twitter.com/7C2DFOUlHw
On top of this, he finds himself sporting impressive career averages with the franchise of 12.9 points, 4.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals with efficient shooting splits of 50.0/36.2/78.1 and is coming off an immaculate Summer League showing with Memphis where he wrapped with 21.5 points, 8.7 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 3.3 steals a night while serving as lead guard.
One of the best bargains this team has to offer, Pippen is someone who's deserving of meeting the 50-game limit that his contract allows, and could realistically find himself serving as a primary backup to superstar Ja Morant.
In other words, he could easily wind up being incredibly valuable during his upcoming second season in Grind City.