Memphis Grizzlies point guard Scotty Pippen Jr. might be the son of NBA legend and Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen, but he has had to work hard for his opportunities in the NBA. He’s getting a chance to flourish as one of the stars on the Grizzlies Summer League squad and has been dominating opponents.
Pippen Jr. has averaged 19.3 points, 7.8 assists, and 3.5 steals through the first four games of Summer League, emerging as a valid contender for SL MVP as the Grizzlies sit 4-0 with Pippen Jr. at the helm. They’re beating opponents by a differential of 14.3 points through these games, with Pippen shooting 54.0% from the field and 33.3% from three.
Pippen Jr. was undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft, joining the Lakers on a two-way contract in July 2022. He spent the entire season with the Lakers in a year they missed the postseason, playing six games and averaging 2.3 points. He was waived by the team after training camp last season, signing with the Grizzlies in January 2024 after spending half the season on the South Bay Lakers.
He was among the raft of signings the Grizzlies made last season as their team disintegrated due to injuries, but Pippen emerged as a player that the franchise would have great use for going forward. In the 21 appearances he made for the Grizzlies, he averaged 12.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 1.7 steals per game on 49.3% from the field and 41.1% from three.
Pippen is an undersized guard but has phenomenal defensive tenacity and a feel for the court. While he isn’t an elite playmaker, he’s very capable of handling and creating as a secondary playmaker on the floor. The former Vanderbilt guard is expected to be on the Grizzlies roster next season, though he doesn’t have an official contract beyond a two-way just yet.
The Grizzlies need a backup guard behind Ja Morant next season as the team hopes to return to contention in the West. Pippen Jr. brings solid defense with varied shotmaking, though he has a tendency to go on cold stretches. He had a few 20-point games last season, including a 28-point performance against the Lakers in the second-last game of the season.
His total potential in the NBA is hard to gauge given his size and shooting inconsistencies, but he’s proven in the G League, last season in the NBA, and in the 2024 Summer League that he deserves a roster spot in the NBA. The Grizzlies have a potential gem on their hands, provided they can find the space to continue developing him as a backup behind Morant.
The Grizzlies excelled when they had a backup point guard like Tyus Jones, making three consecutive Playoff appearances from 2021 to 2023. Jones was traded away to acquire Marcus Smart, but Pippen Jr. is built in a similar mold and could make a profound impact on the organization next season.
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