Jaylen Wells Finds His Rhythm - And the Grizzlies Are Following His Lead
The Memphis Grizzlies didn’t just stumble out of the gate this season - they faceplanted. And right in the middle of that rocky start was Jaylen Wells, the second-year wing who entered the year with big expectations after a strong rookie campaign. With Desmond Bane traded over the offseason, the Grizzlies handed Wells a larger role, hoping he could elevate his game and help anchor a new-look wing rotation alongside rookie Cedric Coward and veteran Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
At first, that plan looked shaky.
Wells couldn’t find his shot. Caldwell-Pope was cold.
And while Coward burst onto the scene with a strong rookie start, the trio wasn’t delivering the two-way impact Memphis was banking on. For Wells in particular, it looked like the weight of a bigger role may have arrived a little too soon.
But lately? That narrative is flipping fast.
The Real Jaylen Wells Is Back
Let’s start with what hasn’t changed: Wells has remained a key piece defensively. Even when his shot wasn’t falling, he was still tasked with guarding the opposing team’s top perimeter threat most nights - and doing it well.
Now, with Ja Morant still sidelined by a calf strain, Wells has been flanked by other strong defenders in Vince Williams Jr. and Coward, giving him more freedom to lock in on his assignments. That defensive consistency has been a steady drumbeat through the ups and downs.
The big change, though, is what’s happening on the other end of the floor.
Over the Grizzlies’ recent stretch - five wins in their last six games - Wells has looked like the offensive weapon Memphis hoped he’d become. He’s averaging 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game during that span, while shooting a blistering 54.5% from the field and 50% from deep. Those are the kind of numbers that made him a First Team All-Rookie selection last year, and they’re a far cry from the cold start that plagued his first 15 games.
Speaking of that slump - it was rough. So rough, in fact, that even after this recent surge, Wells is still sitting at 41.9% from the field and 34.3% from three on the season.
But that’s what makes this turnaround so important. He’s digging himself out with efficiency and confidence.
The Free-Throw Line: Wells’ Secret Weapon
One of the biggest indicators of Wells’ growth? His trips to the free-throw line.
Through his first 15 games, Wells had seven outings where he didn’t attempt a single free throw. That’s a red flag for a player trying to expand his offensive game. But in his last seven games, he’s gotten to the line 26 times - and he’s knocking them down at an 84.6% clip.
That’s not just a stat. That’s a sign of a player learning to generate easy offense when the jumper isn’t falling.
It’s the kind of evolution that separates role players from real difference-makers. Wells spent the offseason working on ways to score beyond just spot-up shooting, and now we’re seeing that work pay off.
He’s attacking closeouts, drawing contact, and showing more patience in the midrange. That kind of offensive versatility is exactly what Memphis needs from him, especially with Morant out and the offense still finding its identity.
Turning Point for Wells - and for Memphis
There were whispers early in the season - maybe Wells wasn’t ready. Maybe the sophomore leap wasn’t coming.
But those doubts are fading fast. And as Wells finds his rhythm, the Grizzlies are starting to look like a team that can climb out of their early-season hole.
This isn’t just about individual stats. It’s about impact.
Wells’ resurgence is helping Memphis string together wins, stabilize their rotation, and reassert their defensive identity. He’s proving his value in real time, and it’s shifting the outlook for the entire team.
The Grizzlies still have ground to make up, and there’s plenty of season left to navigate. But with Jaylen Wells rediscovering his form - and showing signs of growth beyond just shooting - Memphis might have more than just a bounce-back in progress. They might have a breakout.