The Memphis Grizzlies have already gotten caught in a bear trap.
The Grizzlies have been forced to get creative with their guards over the last few seasons, with a combination of injuries and suspensions to Marcus Smart and Ja Morant. This trend will continue, as Memphis has yet another injury to a key player.
"The Memphis Grizzlies today provided the following medical update on Grizzlies win Vince Williams Jr.," the team announced on social media Friday morning. "During recent training, Williams Jr. experienced pain in his left shin. Subsequent imaging revealed a stress reaction in the upper portion of his tibia. Williams Jr. will be reevaluated in approximately four weeks and is expected to make a full recovery. Further updates will be provided as appropriate."
A second-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, the 24-year-old started 33 games for the Grizzlies last season.
With Memphis’ training camp beginning this upcoming Tuesday, Williams will miss a crucial opportunity to gel with his teammates. Perhaps more importantly, though Williams was promoted to the first unit due to an injury to Marcus Smart last season, he likely had a chance to retain his starting spot. In 2023-24, the VCU product had a career year, looking like the 3-and-D wing the Grizzlies have long wanted.
Though slightly undersized at 6-foot-4, Williams Jr. proved to be a tenacious defender with ample strength and athleticism. He also made 37.8% of his three-point attempts, including 38.7 percent of his catch-and-shoot attempts. Factoring in his potential as a tertiary playmaker, there’s a lot to like about him.
Unfortunately for the 24-year-old, he now joins second-year forward GG Jackson II as an x-factor who won’t get to make an early impression.
Until Williams Jr. or Jackson returns from their injury, Smart’s only competition for the starting spot might be John Konchar and Jaylen Wells. Konchar, a wing who’s entering his sixth NBA season averaged 4.3 points per game on 31.7% shooting from beyond the arc. Wells, who the Grizzlies drafted 39th overall, has a two-way upside and made 41.7% of his three-point attempts as a one-and-done prospect at Washington State.
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