A race that was close all season has officially gotten away from the Memphis Grizzlies' rookie duo that was at the forefront for the majority of the season. With only two weeks remaining in the regular season, Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey have trended their way out of the Rookie of the Year race.
Jaylen Wells falls to 5 in latest Kia Rookie Ladder
The rookie second-round draft pick's surprising rookie season has come tumbling down since March began. He has only scored double-digit points in nine of his last 11 games while only making 12 out of 53 three-point attempts.
Those struggles have contributed to his fall behind the likes of the top two picks of the draft, Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher and Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr. Miami Heat center Kel’el Ware also moved ahead of Wells, who was ranked third in last week's rankings.
Despite his struggles lately and his subsequent fall from grace to competing for the Rookie of the Year award, Wells remains in a position to make the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He is the only Grizzlies player to play all 72 games and has been the starter for 67 of their games.
His latest blunders shouldn't overlook the overachievements he has accomplished this season in an unexpected role. He will likely retain the starting small forward role as the team's primary defender once playoff basketball begins in the next few weeks.
Zach Edey falls out of the top 5
The Grizzlies' ninth overall draft pick's fall from grace can be attributed to playing time in coach Taylor Jenkins' system. He continues to lead the team in rebounding, which is the category that he was primarily drafted to produce in this season.
However, though it may not be permanent, he has been moved to a reserve role. After starting in 38 of his previous 41 games, Edey came off the bench in the Grizzlies' last two games with Jaren Jackson Jr. moved over to center.
The Grizzlies were struggling, losing three in a row, and lost reserved big Brandon Clarke to a season-ending injury. Therefore, coach Taylor Jenkins decided to switch things up to see what works.
Edey is essentially replacing Brandon Clarke's role as the top reserve big man, and while the role is different, he is still producing the same, totaling 23 points and 15 rebounds in his last two games.
While Edey's Rookie of the Year case was already doomed, his chances at making the NBA All-Rookie First Team are dwindling. He will likely make the NBA All-Rookie Second Team at this rate.