Pippen Jr. has shown the potential to be an important player for Memphis

The Grizzlies need more options in the point guard position, and Pippen provides good potential. Scotty Pippen Jr. has always operated under pressure because he has the shadow of his six-time NBA champion father, Scottie Pippen, looming over him. However, Scotty has worked hard to get where he is, especially as an undrafted player out of Vanderbilt.

Since Ja Morant will run the point guard position, he needs ample backups to stabilize the team when he rests on the bench. The Grizzlies had that for years with Tyus Jones, but he got traded in 2023, leaving an opportunity for someone like Pippen to shine.

“With Scotty, there is a lot of excitement for the opportunity he has with the Grizzlies moving forward. Getting this opportunity at Summer League, learning about Scotty because he came mid-way through this past season,” Jenkins said on the Grizzlies’ Beyond Grit YouTube series. “The playmaking potential, a guy who will initiate our offense, a guy that showcases an ability to stretch the floor… Defensively, I think that’s probably the thing we fell in love with, his ability pick up 94 feet.”

Pippen’s defense can make him a mainstay in Memphis

Since he is still a player under a two-way contract, there are no guarantees that Pippen will play an important role for the Grizzlies. However, he has convinced Coach Taylor Jenkins and his staff that he deserves some minutes due to his Summer League performance.

He was one of the biggest standouts in the competition, as he was part of the All-Summer League First Team. Scotty averaged 22 points, five rebounds, 8.7 assists, and 3.3 steals per game. The former Vanderbilt guard showed he can contribute to the Grizzlies in the long-term, like Tyus did from 2019 to 2023.

The defense stands out because Pippen has the energy to guard his matchup from the inbound to the paint. That pesky attitude on defense is significant for a backup guard, especially if he can also be a facilitator on the other end.

Pippen can be a leader off the bench

From what the Summer League showed, Scotty is a superb option at point guard and a reliable leader. There was footage of him communicating instructions to GG Jackson II and Trey Jemison. That leadership is important for a point guard, especially when he has to set the team up for the best offense possible.

The goal is for Morant to get more minutes on the bench when Pippen is on the court. A fresh Ja leads to more wins in the clutch because Morant usually needs a rest before heading into the crunch time minutes. Scotty can be a high-level player for Memphis and must keep earning that opportunity.

Related: Jake LaRavia is ready to become part of the Grizzlies' regular rotation