The Grizzlies are about to put their three-game winning streak on the line tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers with the top two rookies in the NBA. Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey sit atop the second edition of the NBA's Rookie Ladder after debuting in the top three a week ago.
Washington Wizards' rookie point guard Bud Carrington was ranked in second place above Jaylen Wells and behind Zach Edey last week. The Grizzlies and Wizards played each other Friday night to settle the score, and Jaylen Wells scored 11 points with a +24 net rating while on the court because of his defense on Jordan Pooler, helping to hold him to a season-low of 10 points.
Since last week's rankings, Jaylen Wells has started every game for the Grizzlies and averaged 15.7 points with a plus-20 net rating in the team's three blowout victories against the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, and Portland Trail Blazers. That stretch was enough for Jaylen Wells to not only move ahead of Bud Carrington but his teammate (Zach Edey) for the number one spot this week.
Another factor at play for Jaylen Wells surpassing Zach Edey on the rookie ladder? The swap from starting to coming off the bench. Zach Edey has come off the bench during the Grizzlies' last two games against the Wizards and Blazers after starting the team's first nine games of the season.
It is unknown if the move is permanent, as coach Taylor Jenkins hinted at the move being due to matchups, but Zach Edey has been better off the bench. His scoring, rebounding, assists, shooting, and minutes have all increased in a reserve role as more of an offensive focal point off the bench.
I asked Taylor Jenkins about this during preseason.
— Damichael Cole (@DamichaelC) November 11, 2024
“I can see there being nights where we put a guy in a different starting spot based off the matchup with our opposition, but I could also see me leaning a little bit of chemistry to kind of let that group gel a little bit too.” https://t.co/lb66NIvihh
His defense has improved as well as he has blocked seven shots over the Grizzlies' last four games after only blocking three shots in his first seven games. Also, in the Grizzlies' last two games (his first two as a reserve) Edey has five steals and three blockblocks off the bench playing against the opposing team's second unit.
The Grizzlies continue to lean on the rookies for high-level production with their injuries to key players but some of those players are on their way back with Marcus Smart listed as a game-time decision against the Lakers tonight and Vince Williams Jr. listed as doubtful, meaning he's likely to be listed as questionable for the Grizzlies' game Friday at the Golden State Warriors (based on Grizzlies injury listing history).
Falling from one to two isn't a bad thing when it's your teammate, especially when your production has increased in a different role. Expect more shakeups with the Grizzlies' lineups as healthy players return but their top two rookies in the NBA figure to remain in the mix for best rookie as long as they keep producing and the team keeps winning.