The Los Angeles Lakers have made a habit out of giving up on promising young players before they can realize their full potential. JJ Redick is hoping to rectify that issue with his revamped player development program, but the scars of past decisions continue to reveal themselves in 2024-25.
On Wednesday, Nov. 13, one of the most brutal reminders yet arrived in the form of Scotty Pippen Jr. indirectly asking the simple question of why the Lakers prioritized a different legend's son.
Pippen and the Memphis Grizzlies traveled to Los Angeles on Wednesday, looking for a second win over the Lakers in seven days. The purple and gold ultimately prevailed, with LeBron James tallying 35 points, 14 assists, and 12 rebounds, and rookie Dalton Knecht pouring in 19 points off the bench.
The 128-123 Lakers win was the highlight of the night, but one can't help but walk away from the game with a bitter taste in their mouth.
Pippen started for the Grizzlies, playing 32 minutes and filling up the box score. He tallied 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, three steals, and a block, which was more of a continuation of a strong start to the season than an abnormally balanced performance.
In the process, Pippen reminded the Lakers of a mistake that's been following them for the better part of a year.
Scotty Pippen Jr. is the son of a legend who could be helping Lakers now
After going undrafted in 2022, Pippen signed a two-way contract to play for the Lakers. He spent the 2022-23 season with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, and returned for another season with the team in 2023-24.
The Grizzlies did what the Lakers refused to, however, signing Pippen to a two-way contract of their own before converting it to a standard four-year deal in 2024.
Pippen showed out for Memphis, averaging 12.9 points, 4.7 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.4 three-point field goals made on .493/.417/.745 shooting. The sample size was small, however, with just 21 games of NBA action providing the source of optimism.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, Pippen is looking less like a flash in the pan and more like the next in a long line of players who got away.
Through 12 games in 2024-25, Pippen is averaging 12.3 points, 6.2 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 1.3 three-point field goals made in 26.0 minutes per game. He's doing so while maintaining a remarkable level of efficiency with a slash line of .509/.441/.793.
The sample size now expands to 33 games, which remains limited, but the Lakers still have to acknowledge that they let a diamond in the rough slip through their fingers.
It's been a steady theme with the Lakers undervaluing up-and-coming players who could've provided immense value. The recent list includes All-Defense honoree Alex Caruso, emerging shot-blocker Jay Huff, and explosive scoring threat Malik Monk.
Bronny James will have every opportunity to prove he was worth the investment, but Pippen's emergence makes one wonder why the Lakers waited to take a real chance on a legend's son.