Jaylen Wells is one of only two Memphis Grizzlies players to play in all 43 of the team's games this season. He has also started the last 38 games for the team while being tasked with guarding the opposing team's best perimeter player as a rookie second-round draft pick.
He has been as steady as they come as a rookie but keeps getting overlooked in the NBA.com Kia Rookie Ladder. For the third consecutive week, Wells has ranked third in the rankings, and the number two and four players from the previous week swapped spots around him in this week's edition.
San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle jumped Wells for number two on this week's ranking after back-to-back games of scoring 26 and 20 points against the Grizzlies last week. Jaylen Wells struggled in their first matchup, only scoring five points on 1-7 shooting, but rebounded to score 22 points on 8-11 shooting in their second matchup.
Although the Grizzlies won both matchups, the Rookie of the Year is typically based on stats and Wells is leading all rookies with 11.8 points per game. He is also leading all rookies in total points and three-pointers, but continue to get passed up by higher draft picks who have high-scoring games in small spurts.
Jaylen Wells has been the most consistent rookie in the NBA from the start of the season to now but it doesn't show in the rankings or betting odds. The latest FanDuel betting odds have Jaylen Wells (+310) ranked third behind his two counterparts who are ranked above him on the Kia Rookie Ladder in Washington Wizards' forward Alexandre Sarr (+240) and Stephon Castle (+260).
Miami Heat center Kel'el Ware, who just recently entered the playing rotation is close behind with +460 odds. Jaylen Wells will be in the running for Rookie of the Year, but his circumstances of being a lesser offensive option on a contending team feels like it is going to hurt him when the time comes to win the award.
Zach Edey remains top 5 despite lesser role
Zach Edey's role has decreased in the team's last nine games since he returned from a two-game absence due to a concussion. The Grizzlies' last 11 games were against Western Conference playoff contending teams, and his minutes have been limited, with only 17.7 minutes played per game.
However, he has remained as a starter for the team and his efficiency is the same, only his role has lessened due to matchups and the Grizzlies getting healthier. He hasn't had a double-digit scoring output or rebounding game in the last nine, but his per-36 numbers of 16.2 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks suggest that the big man is very productive.
There will come a time when the Grizzlies will need Edey to step up and provide more with more opportunity but the team will need to sort the roster to a set rotation when everyone is officially back. Once the dust settles, expect Edey to get more opportunities in a more established role.