How do Grizzlies go forward with Jaylen Wells injury?
The Memphis Grizzlies won’t have their stalwart rookie defensive stopper for the remainder of the season. Who are the options up next?
Before we start with what’s ahead for the Memphis Grizzlies, let’s talk about Jaylen Wells.
The fall on Tuesday night was frightening. I’ve watched basketball for over 20 years and have not seen a fall quite like that one. On KJ Simpson’s front, it was reckless, despite his visible remorseful and distraught reaction to the severity. At the moment, while Wells was on the ground, we didn’t know what to expect for not just his basketball career but his overall future. From reporting of ESPN’s Shams Charania, Wells is out with a broken wrist — without mention of any head, neck, or back injuries.
More likely than not, Wells’ rookie season has come to an end. His development has been massive for the Grizzlies’ season. With injuries ravishing the wing depth, Wells stepped up as an immediate 3-and-D rotation player that impacted winning. He was tasked with guarding the likes of Steph Curry, Anthony Edwards, Luka Dončić, Tyrese Haliburton, even a 7-foot Lauri Markkanen. His versatility was stretched and tested, and he passed with flying colors — as an All-Rookie 1st team bid is likely on the way. When you look at the combination of size, shooting, and perimeter defense, Wells fits the mold of players the Grizzlies have coveted on the wing.
Now, the team has to answer the “next man up” call to close the regular season into the postseason. Where do the Grizzlies go from there? Who fills in for Jaylen Wells’ responsibility as the primary stopper?
Vince Williams Jr.
Vince Williams will get the biggest bulk of responsibilities his way. When the Grizzlies traded away Marcus Smart and Jake LaRavia, Williams was likely the player to benefit from these reps. However, he’s struggled this season. Injuries have been a significant part of his woes — a stress fracture taking him out of training camp, preseason, and the first month of the regular season, then an ankle sprain sidelined him for about two months.
Williams’ defense hasn’t been up to the standard he set last season. His defensive impact has slipped from +1.7 defensive EPM to -1.0. He’s generating fewer stocks and grabbing slightly fewer rebounds.
It doesn’t seem like he’s wreaking as much havoc. There have been fewer moments where you can see him getting under the skin of his opponent. His force at the point of attack is less evident. His tenacity and physicality are vital for playoff basketball, especially for slowing down the opposing team’s go-to options.
The offense has been a struggle, as well. The shot isn’t falling, and he’s turning the ball over a bit too frequently. Shots have to fall — and the Daily Memphian’s Chris Herrington pointed out that Williams shoots better with more rest, shooting 50% from the field and 33.3% from 3 when having 3+ days of rest. Will playing as the 5th guy off the gravity of Morant, Bane, Jackson, and Edey help?
Frankly, this moment is the one for Williams to seize. It can become a catalyst for him to recapture his magic that shined in a dark season for Memphis last year. He can also emerge as an option for role depth for defensive stoppers — to contend, a team needs multiple guys to throw at in high-leverage basketball.
John Konchar
John Konchar has been relied upon significantly less than in prior seasons. He’s played the fewest games and minutes per game of his career since the 2020-21 season.
It may be the less exciting option, but it might be the most reliable route. The Grizzlies need John Konchar for the remainder of the season.
The Grizzlies badly need perimeter defense. Konchar does a good job of keeping his man in front of him. His value, though, is in the possessions game. He has an absolute nose for the ball and pairs it with quick hands. In each season of his career, both his steal and block percentages have been 1.5% or higher — last year, it was 2.4% and 4.1%, respectively. He will also contribute on the glass, ranking in the 80th or higher percentile in offensive and defensive rebound percentage off missed field goals, per Cleaning the Glass.
His value offensively is more tied to moving and taking care of the ball. He has to not only be willing to shoot but also convert on them at a respectable rate.
Given the fact that he’s a veteran with corporate knowledge of the Grizzlies’ system, expect John Konchar to play well in this postseason.
GG Jackson
The flashiest option will be GG Jackson.
Like Williams, his 2024-25 campaign has been stalled with a significant injury, and he hasn’t been able to re-capture the momentum he created in the first half of 2024. However, the Grizzlies could use this stretch of games to throw him into the fire. After all, when factoring in his contract, age, and skillset, he has the most upside for this group going forward.
Offense is his bread and butter. Out of this group, he’s best equipped to get hot, create his own shot, and get to the rim. Unfortunately, his efficiency has dropped from last season:
Same question posed with Williams, will playing more frequently off the gravity of Morant, Bane, and Jackson help generate easier looks?
Even if the offense gets going, defense will be what has to stick for him to get minutes down the stretch. He has the requisite size to pose problems on the perimeter and provide weak-side rim protection. However, he’s a bit stiff moving his hips in space and gets a little bit lost off the ball.
Jackson is only 20 years old. Mistakes are bound to happen, and he can learn from them. Will the Grizzlies opt to throw him into the fire for these reps? Or will the Grizzlies roll with veterans?
Lamar Stevens
Lamar Stevens wouldn’t be my option over any of these players. It’s more likely he’s not in next season’s plan — or even an asset this summer. He also doesn’t provide enough shooting and playmaking either to supplant these three players.
The one thing that separates Stevens here is how his physicality enables his versatility. He’s a hard-nosed defender that can bother opposing players at the point of attack. In addition, he can scale up to more “big” positions if the team decides to switch defensively.
To start the Timberwolves game, Iisalo rolled with Vince Williams in Jaylen Wells’ spot then Lamar Stevens and John Konchar coming off the bench — both leaping over Luke Kennard in the depth chart. He went with Scotty Pippen Jr. down the stretch over all of them. Obviously, perimeter defense doesn’t look pretty when Anthony Edwards and the Wolves explode to that magnitude.
Regardless, the Grizzlies have to find stoppers for this stretch without its primary perimeter defender. Who’s going to rise to the occasion for postseason basketball?
If you choose to support my Substack, SubTsakalidis — aka “SubTsak” — follow this link to my Allie’s Allies St. Jude fundraiser page. If you choose to subscribe, all proceeds will go towards St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.