The Memphis Grizzlies are entering a new era this season following last year’s deadline trade of Jaren Jackson Jr. and this offseason’s deal involving Ja Morant. This is a rebuilding Grizzlies team, and one of those intriguing young players is Scotty Pippen Jr. Pippen missed most of last season after suffering a toe injury, but he’s back and ready to return to the court. And he believes this Grizzlies’ team can be the best defensive team he’s played on since arriving in Memphis, as per Damichael Cole of The Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Last season, Scotty Pippen Jr. had one of the better defensive ratings on the Grizzlies roster at 115.3. He will certainly play a big role in the Grizzlies defense this season. As well Zach Edey, the Grizzlies’ rim protector and big man in the middle.

But plenty of eyes will be on Pippen as he makes his return to the lineup this season He was limited to only 10 games, including six starts, at a little over 21 minutes per game. He averaged 11.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.9 steals with splits of 44.8 percent shooting from the field, 31.3 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 78.3 percent shooting from the free-throw line.

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Even with only playing 10 games, Pippen led the Grizzlies in steals with 1.9. Undrafted out of Vanderbilt, he began his NBA career with the Los Angeles Lakers via two-way contract in 2022-23. He was eventually cut by the Lakers, and was then scooped up by the Grizzlies.

Pippen started out his Grizzlies career on a two-way contract as well, but quickly had that converted to a standard deal after one season.