Why Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells deserves serious NBA All-Defense consideration
The Memphis Grizzlies, led by Ja Morant, are aiming for more than just individual honors, but they will undoubtedly make every effort to gain Jaren Jackson Jr. $100 million in leverage this summer. Unfortunately, an ankle injury has put the 25-year-old’s chances of winning NBA Defensive Player of the Year and All-NBA on hold. Fortunately, Jaylen Wells is regarded by the Grizzlies as an NBA All-Defense dynamo who roams the perimeter. As a rookie, the 22-year-old has routinely overcome obstacles at the NBA All-Star level to earn serious consideration for multiple awards.
Jaylen Wells (11.3 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 37.4% 3PA) will be on the NBA All-Rookie First Team or the fans riot in the FedEx Forum. NBA Rookie of the Year votes are expected, but there is competition for that trophy. However, the stats show the rookie is worth a mention in the varsity-level, veteran-laden awards conversations already.
However, over an 82-game season, pure totals are important. Over 62 games (57 starts), Wells has 36 steals (179th) and six blocks (346th). Wells is also not favored by production per game within the allotted minutes played. Although his field goal percentage against All-Star games is favorable, his steals (0.6 per game) and blocks (0.1 per game) are below average. If Wells’ full-court ball press doesn’t give his assignment any chances at all, he can’t steal a pass or block a shot. Jaylen Wells’ NBA All-Defense status is being discussed before the first 82-game sample is released again, so why?
Wells has a 46.1% Defended Field Goal Percentage. That might not be great on first look, but factor in the stars shooting and it’s a different picture. The rookie is keeping All-Star in check, making them look merely average often. Wells made history in holding Stephen Curry to the worst offensive output of a Hall of Fame career. Curry finished 0-for-7 and a pitiful two points (Dec. 20). Wells was the primary tracker for Damian Lillard’s four points on 1-12 shooting on Halloween. Anthony Edwards shot just 12-32 combined in January.
It’s also important to consider the kind of shots that are faced (9.9 per game). With fewer than one beyond-the-arc bomb per quarter (3.6), Wells is chasing everyone off the three-point line. However, the majority of opponents must pull up from more than 15 feet away (4.9), and their swish rate is only 34.1%.
Against Wells, Edwards has scored 13 points (33.3% FGA) in 19 minutes. Against the rookie, Deven Booker has four points (12.5% FGA) in less than eighteen minutes. In 16:50 of play, Chris Paul has three turnovers, six assists, and two points. There will soon be follow-up appointments with Booker, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Darius Garland.
