The Memphis Grizzlies are making moves, and Scotty Pippen Jr. is at the center of it all.
Pippen Jr. Joins the Grizz Den
So, here’s the scoop: the Grizzlies just snagged Scotty Pippen Jr. on a multi-year deal. That’s right, folks, the son of the legendary Scottie Pippen is officially part of the Memphis squad, thanks to some smooth negotiations by his reps at Klutch Sports. After a solid summer league showing, Pippen Jr. has proven he’s got the chops to hang with the big boys. He’s been putting up some decent numbers in preseasonโ10.3 points, 4.5 dimes, and a couple of boards in just over 20 minutes per game. Not too shabby for a guy who went undrafted, huh?
The @memgrizz today announced the team signed Scotty Pippen Jr. to a multi-year contract.
โ Grizzlies PR (@GrizzliesPR)
From G League to Grizzlies Glory
Pippen’s journey has been quite the rollercoaster. After going undrafted in 2022, he found himself with the Lakers’ G League squad, the South Bay Lakers. Fast forward to January, and he was rocking a two-way contract with the Grizzlies. Last season, he averaged career highs across the boardโnearly 13 points per game, shooting a slick 49.3% from the field, and even knocking down 41.7% from downtown. In my opinion, that’s some serious progress for a guy who started in the G League.
Taking Over the Backup Role
Now, with Derrick Rose hanging up his sneakers after a stellar 16-year career, Pippen Jr. is stepping into the backup point guard spot behind Ja Morant. It’s a big opportunity, but let’s be real, unless Ja or another starter goes down, Pippen might not see those 25-minute games he had last season. But hey, he’s got the skills to make an impact in whatever role coach Taylor Jenkins throws his way.
And speaking of roles, did you catch that wild Curry rumor?
What’s Next for the Grizzlies?
Last season was rough for Memphis, finishing 27-55 and missing the playoffs. Injuries hit hard, but with Pippen Jr. in the mix, there’s a glimmer of hope. Can he help the Grizzlies bounce back and make a playoff push? Or will they be stuck in the same rut? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sureโScotty Pippen Jr. is ready to make his mark.
So, what do you think? Is Pippen Jr. the spark the Grizzlies need, or is there more work to be done?
