The Grizzlies’ were very happy with the rookies they acquired in the draft and thru trade this season. SG/PG Juan Carlos Navarro made the biggest impact of the rookies for the Grizzlies this season. He played in all 82 games (30 starts) for the Grizzlies this season and he averaged 25.8 minutes, 10.9 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Navarro will likely be the starter at shooting guard next season and in the future for the Grizzlies.

Mike Conley Jr. was the first round pick of the Grizzlies last season and he got off to a slow start before finishing the season strongly. Conley played in 53 games (46 starts) for the Grizzlies last season and he averaged 26.1 minutes, 9.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game. Conley will likely be the starting point guard next season and in the future for the Grizzlies.

PG/SG Javaris Crittenton was acquired at the trade deadline as the main piece in the Pau Gasol trade with the Lakers. He came off the bench behind both Mike Conley and Juan Carlos Navarro and he looked good for them. Crittenton played in 28 games (0 starts) last season for the Grizzlies and he averaged 18.1 minutes, 7.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. He played in 50 games (0 starts) combined with the Lakers & Grizzlies and he averaged 13.6 minutes, 5.6 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. He will likely continue his role as the top backup guard on the Grizzlies next season.

The Memphis Grizzlies have a nice trio of rookie guards who should be a big part of the team’s future. Mike Conley was the Grizzlies first round pick this season and he’s been solid. Conley has played in 30 games (23 starts) this season for the Grizzlies and he is averaging 26.5 minutes, 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 1.0 steal per game. Conley is not a great shooter as he is hitting 43.9% from the floor and 74% from the free throw line. Conley will likely never be a good long range shooter but he’s got a good in-between game and he’s a solid defender. Juan Carlos Navarro has also been solid this season for the Grizzlies. He has played in 59 games (23 starts) this season for the Grizzlies and he is averaging 26.4 minutes, 11.1 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Navarro has shot 41.5% from the floor, 37.5% from three point range and 83.5% from the free throw line this season. Look for those % to go up with better shot selection. Javaris Crittenton has played in 10 games (0 starts) since coming over from the Lakers in the Pau Gasol trade and he is averaging 15.3 minutes, 6.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He hasn’t shot well yet though as he is hitting 37% from the free throw line and 61.3% from the free throw line for the Grizzlies. Crittenton has now played in 32 games (0 starts) for the Lakers & Grizzlies this season and he is averaging 10.1 minutes, 4.2 points, 1.4 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. He is shooting 43% from the floor and 64.4% from the free throw line this season. The Grizzlies need to think big in future Drafts as they appear set at the guard positions with this season’s rookie class.

The Grizzlies have to be pleased with the play of guards Juan Carlos Navarro and Mike Conley Jr. so far this season. Conley was the first round pick of the Grizzlies but he hasn’t played much due to injury. He has played in 5 games this season and he is averaging 14.4 minutes, 5.6 points, 1.0 rebound and 4.2 assists per game. He also has shot well as he is hitting 47.4% of his shots from the floor and 81.8% from the free throw line. Juan Carlos Navarro is soaking up a lot of the playing time that Mike Conley Jr. would have been getting and he is running with it. Navarro has played in 28 games so far this season and he is averaging 23.6 minutes, 10.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.

Rookie point guard Mike Conley will be ready to return in a couple of weeks. He’s recovering from a tear in his right shoulder that has kept him out of action for a couple of weeks already. Conley has only played in 5 games so far this season and he has averaged 14.4 minutes, 5.6 points, 1.0 rebound and 4.2 assists per game. Conley also has shot pretty well so far this season as he’s hit 47.4% from the floor and 81.8% from the free throw line.

The Grizzlies had a really good crop of rookies this season and they all got to play some because of all the injuries the Grizz suffered this season. G/F Rudy Gay played in 78 games and he averaged 27.0 minutes, 10.8 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. Gay is a future star for the Grizzlies. G/F Tarance Kinsey played in 48 games this season and he averaged 20.1 minutes, 7.7 points, 2.0 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. He really played well down the stretch for the Grizzlies when he filled in for the injured Mike Miller. Kinsey has a bright future for the Grizzlies. F Alexander Johnson played in 59 games and he averaged 12.8 minutes, 4.4 points, 3.1 rebounds and 0.3 assists per game. He looks like he’ll be a solid reserve as he’s a pretty good rebounder. PG Kyle Lowry only played in 10 games (due to a broken wrist) and he averaged 17.5 minutes, 5.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Lowry also looks like a keeper for the Grizzlies.