Jaylen Wells' Offensive Consistency Could Ignite Grizzlies' Finish

The young Grizzlies guard looks to stabilize his scoring as Memphis navigates roster changes.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Jaylen Wells, in his second season with the Memphis Grizzlies, has experienced a year of mixed results, showcasing strong defensive skills but struggling to maintain steady offensive output. After a promising rookie year, Wells encountered a challenging setback due to a significant fall in Charlotte on April 8, 2025, which interrupted his momentum. Despite this, he continued to excel defensively and earned a repeat selection to the NBA Rising Stars Challenge, highlighting his reputation as a reliable defender in the league.

Why it matters

Memphis benefits when Wells stabilizes his offensive game. Following the trade of Desmond Bane, Wells assumed greater offensive responsibilities and was anticipated to show notable improvement in scoring. His inconsistency sparked debate over whether Wells should be moved to a bench role, but given the current team composition, he remains a starter, providing him with a chance to demonstrate offensive steadiness as the season progresses.

The details

Wells' average points per game increased to 12, up from 10.4 during his first year; however, his shooting efficiency has fluctuated considerably. This ups-and-down trend was particularly evident during December and January—December saw Wells delivering his best offensive performance with a 14.8 points average and shooting 50% overall and from beyond the arc. In contrast, January's production dipped sharply to 10.1 points per game with shooting percentages falling to 33.3% from the field and 24.7% for three-pointers.

  • On April 8, 2025, Wells encountered a significant fall in Charlotte, which interrupted his momentum.
  • In December, Wells delivered his best offensive performance with a 14.8 points average and shooting 50% overall and from beyond the arc.
  • In January, Wells' production dipped sharply to 10.1 points per game with shooting percentages falling to 33.3% from the field and 24.7% for three-pointers.

The players

Jaylen Wells

A young guard in his second season with the Memphis Grizzlies, known for his strong defensive skills but struggling to maintain consistent offensive output.

Desmond Bane

A former Grizzlies player who was traded, leading to Wells assuming greater offensive responsibilities.

GG Jackson II

A young player who has received meaningful playing time with the Grizzlies.

Olivier-Maxence Prosper

A young player who has received meaningful playing time with the Grizzlies.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope

A player who joined the Grizzlies and initially found success in a bench role, but later faced difficulties.

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The takeaway

As the Grizzlies continue their transition, Wells' development on offense could greatly influence how quickly the franchise advances. Maintaining a balance between his stout defense and a reliable scoring contribution may solidify his role as a cornerstone for Memphis moving forward.