The Memphis Grizzlies are signing Scotty Pippen Jr. to a regular, multi-year commitment to the NBA, according to Shams Charania. Pippen, the son of Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, was an undrafted sovereign agent in 2022 after a successful three-year college tenure at Vanderbilt. He signed a two-way trade with the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2022-23 season, but was unable to galvanize the team enough to earn real opportunities at the NBA level.
In January 2024, however, he signed a two-way trade with the Grizzlies, and due to all the injuries they suffered late in the season, he was given enough playing time down the stretch. He made the most of it, averaging 12.9 points on roughly 50% shooting and nearly 42% from 3-point range. His defense also stood out, at least at his size. Pippen is a miniature-level coverage with visible physical barriers, but he temporarily emerged as a turnover-generating device who averaged 1.7 steals on a per-game basis.
However, finishing the season was not normal for the Grizzlies. It is a team that hopes to compete. With Ja Morant and other veterans likely healthy once again, Pippen likely won’t see the 25 minutes or so per game he played at the end of the season. Now you are having to opt for a smaller safe position.
But one of the biggest benefits of Memphis’ late-season struggles was that it gave the Grizzlies a chance to evaluate potential long-term options. Pippen, GG Jackson and Vince Williams emerged as viable position players who have since made their way around the NBA. With Morant back and the Grizzlies back in the playoff picture, those kids are managing to deliver reliable, affordable intensity to a potential contender.
