MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The normally reserved Scotty Pippen Jr was all smiles at Grizzlies practice, Wednesday, one day removed from signing a multi-year standard contract with the team.
Pippen had been on a two-way contract since joining the Grizzlies in January. He appeared in 21 games, averaging 12.9 points, 4.7 assists and showing defensive prowess. He also had a strong showing in Summer League. All that, he said led to the moment he signed on the dotted line.
"All the coaches, players they been talking about buying them dinner, buying them gifts, a bunch of stuff so it's been good. Everyone's been treating me well. It's definitely a dream come true," Pippen said. "I would say a sense of relief, finally feeling happy, finally feeling like I made it. It was kind of trending in that way so it definitely was on my mind for a little while so it was definitely good to get that off my shoulders.
The son of NBA Hall of Fame Scottie Pippen Sr. had bounced around the NBA since going undrafted out of Vanderbilt in 2022. He had consistently shown production first with the G-League's South Bay Lakers in the LA Lakers organization before his time with the Grizzlies.
In the 10 months he's been in Memphis, head coach Taylor Jenkins said Pippen had shown tremendous growth and that his promotion was an "easy decision."
"He is absolutely a Memphis Grizzly. He stands for everything that we're about," Jenkins said. "His personality, the fit in the locker room, how he helps enhance guys' game around him. It's about impacting winning."
"Ever since he's got in our building he's been consistent in the gym working, hounding guys on the defensive end, playing with pace, real coachable," said Desmond Bane. "He's the type of guy that you want in your organization, the type of guy that we need to do what we're trying to do this year."
Pippen figures to slot in as the de facto back up point guard behind Ja Morant, especially with the retirement of Derrick Rose. It leaves two, two-way spots open on the Grizzlies roster.
The team will play a final preseason game versus Chicago on Friday, October 18 before the season opener against Utah on October 23.
