Originally selected 47th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft, Vince Williams Jr. started on a two-way contract with the Grizzlies before eventually finding himself in the Grizzlies' rotation during an injury-riddled 2023-24 season. Williams Jr. made great use of his opportunities and eventually earned a standard contract at the beginning of 2024.
Spending time between the G League and the NBA roster during the 2022-23 season, Vince Williams Jr. only played 105 total NBA minutes as a rookie. However, the Grizzlies were ravaged by injuries early into the following season, which led to Williams Jr. getting an extended look. In 52 games, including 33 starts, Vince Williams Jr. did not disappoint as he averaged 10 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 27.6 minutes per game.
Most importantly, he shot 37.9% from three and accrued 1.6 steals and blocks (stocks) per game, showing great promise as a 3-and-D option for the Grizzlies. Performances such as his 24-point game on MLK Day against the Warriors on January 15, 2024, and his high defensive intensity made Williams Jr. an instant fan favorite. He showed many great flashes of potential that led many to believe that Williams Jr. would be a key rotation piece for years to come.
Vince Williams Jr.'s 2024-25 season was significantly derailed by injuries
Unfortunately, last season consisted of multiple injuries for Williams Jr. He suffered a stress reaction in his left tibia in training camp. Shortly after being cleared to return, he suffered a grade 3 ankle sprain against the Denver Nuggets on November 19, 2024, forcing him to miss an additional two and a half months. After his return, he suffered recurring knee and ankle soreness, which limited his playing time and contributed to his drop-off in performance.
After shooting well behind the arc in 2023-24, Vince Williams Jr. had a major dip in efficiency as he shot only 27.4% from 3. This had a detrimental effect on his offense since he attempted more threes (3.5 per game) than twos (2.7 per game). Even though Williams Jr. improved his two-point efficiency and still displayed playmaking upside, his dip in three-point percentage made his offensive game less difficult to prepare for.
Despite building his reputation on high-level defense, Williams Jr. also suffered a significant dropoff defensively. His DARKO defensive DPM went from 0.7 in 2023-24 (76th percentile) to -0.2 this past season (36th percentile). He was less effective at guarding the other team's primary options, and his injuries diminished the defensive activity and athleticism he showed the season before.
Another key area of defensive drop-off was his decrease in playmaking. He went from 1.6 steals per 100 possessions (60th percentile) to 1.1 per 100 possessions (15th percentile). His block numbers also suffered as he went from 1.2 blocks per 100 possessions (88th percentile) to 0.7 blocks per 100 possessions (65th percentile). It will be crucial for Williams Jr. to get back to his previous level of defensive playmaking to get back to being a trusted option in the rotation.
With the selection of Cedric Coward in the draft and the continued growth of GG Jackson II and Jaylen Wells, it will be difficult for Vince Williams Jr. to earn meaningful rotation minutes early in the year. To force Iisalo's hand and earn more playing time, Williams Jr. will need to regain his level of three-point shooting and defensive playmaking. There is reason to believe a healthy Vince Williams Jr. can return to his old form, but he must make the most of his opportunities in the coming months.