Sad: Grizzlies suspended Vince Williams Jr. today.
The Memphis Grizzlies had a historic 2023-24 season. After back-to-back seasons finishing as the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, Memphis has the seventh-best odds to win the NBA Draft Lottery.
That’s not what made this season historic. Despite missing Ja Morant for the first 25 games of the season due to suspension, there was still plenty hope for the Grizzlies to stay afloat until then and make the playoffs. Until there wasn’t.
Memphis suited up 33 different players this season, had 578 total games lost and ran out 51 different starting line up — all NBA records. With the new minimum-games-played threshold for postseason awards, only Jaren Jackson Jr. qualifies. Of the 33 players, just one played at least 65 games this season.
In the middle of their championship window, the Grizzlies and their fans were dealt a season to forget. However, all was not lost.
The Grizzlies were able to use both Desmond Bane and Jackson as primary playmakers. Jaren logged career-highs in field goal attempts (17.6), points (22.5) and assists (2.3). Many nights, Jackson displayed his improved handle, attacking the basket all while learning how to make plays for his teammates — an important development for next season.
Then, there was the emergence of Vince Williams Jr. The No. 47 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft began the season on a two-way deal before signing a standard NBA contract on January 10, 2024.
As a franchise, the Grizzlies have been searching for a small forward who complements their stars. The core four of Mike Conley Jr., Tony Allen, Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol were always missing that additional piece alongside them. During the “Next Gen era,” Morant, Bane and Jackson Jr. have been searching for the same.
In an empty season, Williams stepped up and inserted his name as an option on the wing. Memphis loves the Grit ‘n Grind mantra and the players like Allen and Marcus Smart who embody it. Williams seems to be next in line.
