The Memphis Grizzlies view second-round rookie Jaylen Wells as a long-term starter on the wing following their trade of Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic, sources told ESPN.
Wells, who finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, averaged 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists across 79 games. The rookie shot 35.2 percent from three-point range during his debut season.
Memphis traded Bane to the Magic on Sunday in exchange for multiple future first-round picks and financial flexibility. The move signals the franchise's commitment to building around younger talent.
"I don't think we can look back at this series and say, 'Oh we're close,'" General Manager Zach Kleiman told reporters during his end-of-season news conference. "We're not."
The Grizzlies hold a team option on Wells for the 2027-28 season. Wells would become a restricted free agent in 2028, giving Memphis control over his future.
Memphis has hired Tuomas Iisalo as head coach, who plans to implement a fast-paced system emphasizing pick-and-roll plays and three-point shooting. The offensive philosophy is designed to maximize point guard Ja Morant's skillset.
The organizational changes reflect Memphis's commitment to retooling around their core players while developing young talent like Wells into key contributors.
