The Memphis Grizzlies enter the 2024-25 season looking to prove they are one of the best teams in the Western Conference. There are plenty of doubts after a 27-win campaign ruined by injuries. Memphis won 50-plus the previous two years, and Desmond Bane believes they can get back there.
It will take better health and improvements from young talents. Memphis is just under the luxury tax and clearly not planning on paying this season. The Grizzlies need their young talent to step up and fill roles around their stars.
They are clearly building around Morant, Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr., but Memphis must focus on developing talent to assist them. They have six players under 25 years old on their roster. Those talents help limit the team’s spending and give the Grizzlies upside. Here is a look at which players should be priorities moving forward.
Develop: Zach Edey
Memphis selected him with the ninth overall pick in the 2024 draft. Edey played four years at Purdue and twice won college player of the year. The 7’4 big man was dominant, but can he translate it to the NBA?
The Grizzlies need a starter next to Jaren Jackson Jr. in the frontcourt. Steven Adams was traded, and Memphis hopes Edey can fill that role. The 22-year-old must clean the glass and set screens. There are questions about his defense, but the rookie put up numbers in college. The franchise hopes he can do the same in the NBA.
The Memphis Grizzlies believe in Edey and should be focused on helping him reach his ceiling. He could be just what the franchise needs. It is on Memphis to help him blossom into an impactful starting center.
Developing Zach Edey is a no-brainer, but he is not the only young talent the Grizzlies need to fill a crucial role.
Develop: Jaylen Wells
Memphis took Wells with the 39th overall pick in 2024 and signed him to a four-year $7.9 million contract. Only the first two seasons are guaranteed, but the Grizzlies proved they believe in the 6’7 wing by putting him on their standard roster.
The 20-year-old was a lights-out 3-point shooter at Washington State, and Memphis needs floor spacers around their stars. Wells has plus-size, but there are questions about what he offers beyond shooting. The Grizzlies may need a Luke Kennard replacement after this season and hope Wells can become that level of a floor spacer.
The Grizzlies drafted Cam Spencer at the end of the second round, and the franchise should be focused on developing their recent selections. Edey and Wells are just starting rookie contracts that could be massive values for the franchise. Kennard just got $9-plus million for one season. The Grizzlies aren’t paying Wells that much over the next four years combined.
Memphis has taken multiple bites at the apple of finding a wing in the draft in recent years. Wells is the latest and could blossom into a needed role player. He has one NBA skill but needs to round out his game. Only time will tell, but the Grizzlies should find out what Wells becomes.
Develop: Vince Williams Jr.
The second-round draft pick in 2022 found his footing with the Grizzlies last season. He played just 105 total minutes as a rookie, but shined in the G League. Williams was not part of the rotation to begin the 2023-24 season, but did not miss when given the chance.
His run expanded in December, and Williams Jr. averaged 11.6 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.0 steal in 31.2 minutes per game over his final 43 contests.
He suffered a knee injury in March and missed the remainder of the season. Expect Williams Jr. to be healthy and ready for training camp.
The Grizzlies dealt with injuries and had to ask players to increase their roles. Williams Jr. showed some potential on both ends of the floor as he produced 0.093 win shares per 48 minutes. 0.100 is league average, but the team around the 23-year-old was subpar in competing against the NBA’s best.
Does the 6’4 guard take another step forward this season? He shot 37.8 percent from 3-point range and showed some intriguing playmaking and rebounding chops. Can he find another level on defense and blossom into an unquestioned rotation piece moving forward? Memphis has to find out.
Vince Williams Jr. is under contract for three more seasons at just $6.9 million total. It is a bargain deal for any rotation player, and the 23-year-old should continue improving.
Develop: Santi Aldama
The 6’11 big man keeps improving. He averaged 10.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.9 blocks in 26.5 minutes per game last season, which were all career-highs. Aldama has shot 35.1 percent over 570 3-point attempts in the last two years. Having a young five capable of stretching the floor is desirable for any franchise.
Aldama is set to make $3.9 million in the 2024-25 season before becoming a restricted free agent. The Grizzlies took him with the final pick in the first round in 2021, and the 23-year-old is extension-eligible heading into the regular season. Memphis should try to lock him up long-term, but only if the two sides can agree on a reasonable contract.
There will certainly be minutes available this season. Aldama and rookie Zach Edey are the only two primary centers on the Grizzlies roster. The two-time college player of the year is NBA-ready, but contenders do not often rely heavily on rookies. Aldama gives them a fourth-year big man to turn to when searching for more experience and versatility.
Aldama turns 24 in January and has been in the Memphis Grizzlies rotation for two years already. The franchise should prioritize his development and may have its center tandem of the present and future in-house.
Give up: Jake LaRavia
The Grizzlies traded up to draft LaRavia at 19th overall in 2022. He was not a top recruit coming out of high school and played two years at Indiana State before transferring to Wake Forest. His all-around game helped him vault up draft boards, and Memphis made him a top-20 selection after his junior season.
The starting small forward job was wide open to begin last season with Ja Morant suspended. LaRavia battled for minutes but came up short. It was not until the Grizzlies were way out of contention that the 22-year-old finally got consistent run.
Over the final 21 games, LaRavia averaged 15.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.2 steals in 29.5 minutes each night. He shot 40.3 percent from the field and 37.7 percent on his 3-point tries. The efficiency is questionable, and LaRavia struggled to offer anything but scoring. He had a negative value over replacement player (VORP) in his first two seasons as he struggled to impact winning.
The Grizzlies should prioritize other talents. Jake LaRavia is owed $8.5 million over the next two seasons combined. There is no reason to cut him, but Memphis should not be clearing minutes for him. Hopefully, the 22-year-old can drastically improve and prove he belongs, but fans should not bank on it.
Develop: G.G. Jackson
The 45th overall pick in 2023 got a surprising opportunity as a rookie. Nobody expected the 6’9 forward to play, but injuries opened up minutes. Jackson did not disappoint. The teenager scored 20 points in his first extended run and proved it was not a fluke.
Over his final 42 games, Jackson averaged 16.4 points and 4.5 rebounds in 28.7 minutes per game. He shot 43.4 percent from the field and 35.8 percent on his 3-point tries. Those were impressive numbers for a rookie second-round selection.
The 19-year-old must round out his game. He is strictly a scorer at this stage and may struggle to find a role if the Grizzlies are healthy this season. Memphis wants Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. to take the majority of the shots, but the franchise may have uncovered a hidden gem in G.G. Jackson.
The 6’9 forward is set to make $6.5 million over the next three seasons combined. It is a bargain if he fills any consistent role for the franchise.
The Memphis Grizzlies have a plethora of young talent on their roster. Can they help the franchise get back into contention? Memphis believes they are one of the best teams in the West. The Grizz need the right pieces around their stars and getting these young players to fill the needed roles is the ideal scenario.