Nearly a week after the Grizzlies rewarded former two-way guard/forward Vince Williams Jr. by signing him to a standard NBA contract, they have filled in that third two-way contract slot.
Scotty Pippen Jr., son of six-time NBA champion and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen signed with the Grizzlies in their vacant two-way spot. Listed at 6’1,” Scotty Pippen Jr. fills a need for the Grizzlies in that two-way contract slot as a point guard for a team with only one healthy true point guard on the roster at the moment. Fellow two-way guard Jacob Gilyard.
The former Vanderbilt Commodores and First Team All-SEC guard signed with the Los Angeles Lakers after going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft. He spent his rookie year on a two-way contract before signing with the Los Angeles Lakers NBA G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers before this upcoming season.
In the 12 games (12 starts) he played for the South Bay Lakers in the G League Showcase Cup this season he averaged 21 points, 6 assists, and 2 steals on 50.6% shooting, including 38.8% from three on 4 attempts per game. His numbers have dipped a little on the offensive end in their Regular Season schedule since the Showcase Cup ended but it is a small sample size considering he has only played in 5 regular season G League games this season.
Although this may come as a surprise signing due to the Grizzlies’ big man needs, Pippen Jr. fills a need and has shown potential as a scorer, playmaker, and defender from the point guard position in college and the G League. He has averaged at least 20 points, nearly 5 assists, and nearly 2 steals in the last four years of his playing career (two in college and two in the G League).