Memphis Grizzlies 2024 Summer League Preview

GG Jackson, Zach Edey, and Jake LaRavia headline 2024 Summer League for the Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies are back.

Well, Summer League. Nonetheless, it’s the first time we’ve seen Grizzlies in action in about 3 months.

The Grizzlies will participate in Salt Lake City and Las Vegas Summer League sessions — spanning from July 8th-22nd.

GG Jackson and Jake LaRavia are the main roster players leading the charge this summer, and all 3 rookies — Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, and Cam Spencer — will be suiting up. Full roster:

What should we watch for with the young Grizzlies this month?

Main Option GG Jackson

While the first impressions of the latest draft picks will catch a lot of attention, GG Jackson as the main option will take center stage.

The Grizzlies have a history of empowering players in Summer League since 2021. Desmond Bane has been the brightest example — as he took advantage of the on-ball reps, and used it as a catapult to a major leap in his sophomore year. Some players don’t fare well in this role, as they’re a bit overtaxed with a higher volume of on-ball reps.

GG Jackson seems to be next in line to receive a heavy dose of on-ball reps.

Jackson’s scoring arsenal should be on display. The shot portfolio should be interesting. His long-range shooting was nice as both as a pull-up and a catch-and-shoot shooter. Do we see more? An improved mid-range game will pop off the page more. However, his play finishing will be the biggest skill to improve. He wasn’t a great paint finisher last season, but more strength and improved handle should help him provide more pressure at the rim — and perhaps boost his efficiency.

Improved playmaking will be welcomed. However, the secondary development to monitor is his defense. The Grizzlies clearly challenged him with his defensive assignments last season, and Jackson said that assistant coach Anthony Carter wanted him to guard Ja and Bane in open runs this summer. Summer League should present opportunities for him to be a stopper, even if it’s not against All-Star level talent.

• Cody Williams and Brice Sensabaugh for Utah

• Ricky Council for Philly

• Jett Howard for Orlando

• Jordan Hawkins for New Orleans

GG Jackson will be the focal point of the Grizzlies’ Summer League squad, and it should provide the opportunity for him to use a strong performance as a platform for a big sophomore year.

Jake LaRavia building on a strong close to the season

Jake LaRavia will be playing Summer League as an incoming 3rd-year player. Usually it’s a bad omen — a last chance of sorts. However, it’s the opposite of that for LaRavia.

Finally experiencing a healthy stretch, LaRavia found a groove to close his sophomore campaign, while playing the strongest basketball of his career. His comfortability was evident in his live-dribble game and outside shooting.

This Summer League provides LaRavia the opportunity to build upon his close to the season, with sights set toward a rotation spot. What does he need to show to do so? Consistent outside shooting is the main catalyst to playmaking. However, quick decision-making with the ball in his hands will be key. LaRavia has always been good at generating stocks, but continuing to show upside as an individual defender is big for his rotation chances as well.

If LaRavia continues to be comfortable in his minutes on both sides of the ball, it could be a quick Summer League for him.

Scotty Pippen Jr. running the ship

The empowerment of perimeter players to take on more on-ball responsibilities has often been without a NBA-level point guard.

Scotty Pippen Jr. provides that presence.

Pippen is building on a close to the season where he received his first real NBA minutes — and in the process, proved he belonged. He impressed as a floor general, point-of-attack defender, and shooter.

Over the next 2-3 weeks, Pippen will be running the ship and making sure everything is organized. It’s an underrated component to Summer League. It can get chaotic super quick. Having a steady floor general can get the game back in a good flow. At the same time, it gives players a better idea of what their role will look like.

A series of first impressions

The Grizzlies have 3 rookies making their unofficial debuts through Summer League — Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells, and Cam Spencer. What can we watch for with these first impressions?

With Zach Edey, I wonder how he looks with a role not predicated on the post. Yes, he will post up a decent amount. However, I’m ready to see how he functions in “Elbow” and “Handoff” sets as a handoff and screening hub.

Jaylen Wells might be the most prolific shooting prospect the Grizzlies have drafted since Desmond Bane. His shooting prowess could be a nice spark to the Summer League experience.

I’m just ready for the Cam Spencer experience — diving on the floor for loose balls, 3’s, and trash-talking. He’s another smart basketball player that will help keep things humming in the midst of chaos.

Other notes

Some other interesting trends to follow with this Summer League roster.

• The Grizzlies have arguably the deepest big man rotation, as Trey Jemison and Freddie Gillespie will be backing up Edey. Jemison is entering another season with the Grizzlies as a two-way player. Gillespie is a former NBA player that had a prior stint with the Raptors, but mostly recently played overseas.

• DeJon Jarreau will be a fun player for Summer League with his live-dribble pop as a scorer and playmaker.

Even if it’s not the full roster, it’s going to be good to have some Memphis Grizzlies basketball back for a couple weeks.

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.