The Grizzlies' wing rotation did not play out anywhere close to the team's thoughts coming into the 2024-25 regular season. Their youngest players on the team are GG Jackson II (20) and Jaylen Wells (21), who the latter was a finalist for the Rookie of the Year award, which was won by Spurs' rookie Stephon Castle.
GG Jackson had higher expectations than normal for a player who was preparing to play minutes for a team expected to contend in the Western Conference. A broken foot suffered a month before training camp caused a late start and early finish to his second season due to the nature of unfair expectations for the second-year forward.
Jaylen Wells was expected to split time in the G League with the Grizzlies' affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. However, injuries to not only GG Jackson, but Vince Williams Jr. and Marcus Smart led to more opportunity, which he excelled at to become the team's starting small forward before a late-season injury caused him to miss postseason play.
Despite his injury and GG Jackson's disappointing season, the Grizzlies fanbase remains upbeat about their potential going forward, and recent workout videos showed that both players are ready to work for future development.
Wells works out despite the wrist fracture on his shooting arm
Jaylen Wells is a second round draft pick who began his college career playing for Sonoma State on the Division II level before transferring to Washington State. Defying the odds has always been his motto, and attacking his injury rehab is not different, as he said he expects to play in the summer league this year.
Wells was seen at the Grizzlies' practice a week after suffering multiple injuries on a hard fall against the Charlotte Hornets, which resulted in him missing the rest of the season with a fracture right wrist. He was practicing shooting with his opposite hand ahead of their play-in game against the Dallas Mavericks.
His recent workout video shows him working on dribbling moves and shooting with the fractured wrist taped up. The video came as no surprise to the fanbase and shows just how committed he is to getting ready to get back on the court.
GG Jackson is part of the Grizzlies' future
While Wells took the spotlight this season, GG Jackson was that guy last season during a dark season for the team. However, he couldn't adjust to the normal rotation after returning from injury, so he ended the season playing limited minutes and spent two weeks with the Memphis Hustle in the G League.
To see a player of that caliber back on the court already working out shows promise that he can develop into a rotational piece for the team soon. GG Jackson's talent is undeniable, especially his scoring ability from the wing position. His work ethic will show just what he can become, and he is off to a good start this offseason.