Grizzlies' Jaylen Wells Has New Offseason Routine That Could Fuel Big Year

The Memphis Grizzlies added so much young talent this year that it would be easy to forget about the young talent they already had.

In the case of wing Jaylen Wells, that would be a mistake.

His 2025-26 sophomore season didn't quite go according to plan. Wells played 69 games. That's a high mark, especially in the modern era, but a toe injury ultimately ended his season before he could get to all 82.

With a new, consistent offseason workout per The Daily Memphian (subscription needed), he's looking to get on the floor as much as possible in 2026-27.

Through two NBA seasons, Grizzlies fans have every reason to want to see more of Wells.

His value starts on the defensive end. A 6'7" combo forward with excellent lateral quickness, Wells can comfortably guard two-through-four. He's a smart, low-risk perimeter defender who's more inclined to hold his position than he is to gamble for steals.

Offensively, Wells can attack a closeout, but he's mostly responsible for spacing the floor. So, the Grizzlies would like him to improve on his 35.3% career three-point shooting. If he can improve that mark by a few percentage points, he'll be among the best three-and-D wings in the NBA.

Luckily, that's exactly what the Grizzlies need.

Boozer should be an offensive engine at the NBA level. The Grizzlies will look to build their offense around him. They'll need a lead guard, but otherwise, they should mostly be looking at complementary players moving forward.

Wells is already in-house. Moreover, the Grizzlies can build an identity around their wing rotation. Taylor Hendricks, Olivier-Maxence Prosper, and GG Jackson II have all flashed potential, and Karim López will be a rookie to watch next season.

Memphis selected López with the No. 21 pick after trading down twice in the first round and adding five future second-round picks.

Still, most of those guys are pure 4s. Lopez shares Wells' versatility, but they're the two leading candidates to start at the 3 long-term alongside Boozer and Zach Edey in the Grizzlies' frontcourt.

For next season, Wells is already projected as part of a starting group with Ty Jerome, Cedric Coward, Boozer, and Edey.

Again, three-point shooting is likely to be the deciding factor. It's not a strength for either player, but if just one can improve, the Grizzlies will be set.

It seems Wells is intent on making that improvement. If nothing else, his work ethic is beyond reproach. With a healthy toe and a full summer's worth of work, look for Wells to make an impact from day one in 2026-27.

Do not make the mistake of overlooking him.