The Memphis Hustle, the official G-League affiliate of the Memphis Grizzlies, kicked off their season this past week. After falling short in each of their first two contests, the Hustle will look to put one in the win column when they take on the Oklahoma City Blue Friday night. Hustle forward Armando Bacot is putting up 16 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists per game in 35.1 minutes per contest.
Former UNC Star Armando Bacot’s Hot G-League Start Ignites Front Office Decisions
The Utah Jazz signed undrafted free-agent power forward Armando Bacot to an Exhibit 10 contract back in June. The Memphis Grizzlies would scoop Bacot after he averaged 8.3 points and five rebounds while shooting 61% from the field in the Summer League. After cutting him for the likes of Yuki Kawamura, the Grizzlies would designate Bacot as an affiliate player. Ultimately the UNC alum would agree to a G-League deal with the organization. With an already substantial amount of depth in the Grizzlies’ frontcourt, Bacot faces an uphill battle but remains a player to monitor as the season unfolds.
Led by Zach Edey, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Brandon Clarke, the Memphis Grizzlies are second in the NBA in field goal percentage inside five feet of the basket. They’re currently ranked in the top five in the league in points per game, rebounds per game, assists per game, and field goal percentage. It’s been nothing short of a stellar job done by Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins given the injuries the Grizzlies have sustained thus far.
Grizzly Paint
Armando Bacot showcased what drew so much attention from team scouts throughout his collegiate career in his first two G-League games. When you consider all things it’s no surprise why Grizzlies executive Zach Kleiman decided to take a flyer on Bacot. Bacot’s high motor and fluidity at the position are traits that the modern NBA still very much value. Listed at 6-foot-11, 240 lbs., Bacot finds gaps in the defenses very effectively. When rolling off pick-and-roll sets and in the mid-post, Bacot is a very selfless, willing connective passer. The three-time first-team All-ACC forward doesn’t possess the most polished face-up scoring gifts but is a force in the paint. The Grizzlies are already an outstanding rebounding team. Six Grizzlies are averaging at least five rebounds or more per game.
With an abundance of injuries and moving parts, the Grizzlies are figuring everything out on the fly. If Bacot continues to control the paint at this level for the foreseeable future, it’ll be interesting to see how active they’ll be at the deadline. With some looming decisions to make in the front office, Bacot’s performance this season may very well impact Kleiman’s decision-making.
Kleiman’s Move
Forward Jake LaRavia is posting career-highs in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, rebounds, and assists. The 23-year old has done an exceptional job impacting the game in different roles and facets in the midst of the injury woes. Before the season, the Grizzlies decided to decline LaRavia’s fourth-year option. Had the Grizzlies picked up his option, he’d have made $5.1 million in 2025-26.
Sharpshooting guard/wing Luke Kennard inked a one-year, $11 million deal to stay in Memphis this past July. After injuries have kept him sidelined the past couple seasons, the former Duke Blue Devil hope to continue his scorching shooting during his Grizzlies tenure. Every other one of Jenkins’ rotation players is locked up through 2025-26. While a log jam of a roster may prove to be valuable at a time like this for Memphis, it’s certainly a challenge for the front office to maximize its window with all the interchangeable pieces. Bacot’s development and transition in the G-League may play a vital factor in that.
