The Grizzlies made a practical roster move on Nov. 16, signing rookie guard Jahmai Mashack to a two-way contract and waiving center PJ Hall. The transaction comes at a time when Memphis is dealing with a wave of injuries in the backcourt and looking for steady, reliable help.
Mashack, a 6′ 4″ guard from Tennessee, was selected 59th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. He showed encouraging flashes in Summer League, but at the time the team was short on frontcourt depth and opted not to sign him to a two-way deal. With center Zach Edey now back in the rotation and the guard group hit hard by injuries, the Grizzlies’ needs have shifted.
The rookie opened the season with the Memphis Hustle, averaging 7.6 points, 5.4 assists and 3.4 steals over five games. Coaches valued his defensive instincts and his ability to impact possessions without needing touches — traits that defined his four-year career at Tennessee, where he became a team captain and earned SEC All-Defensive Team honors as a senior.
Memphis is currently without three of its backup guards. Ty Jerome (calf), Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) and Javon Small (toe) have all missed recent time. Ja Morant left the Nov. 15 loss to Cleveland in the first quarter with calf soreness, further thinning a backcourt already stretched by early-season wear. As of now, the team hasn’t offered any new information on Morant’s injury status.
Mashack isn’t expected to carry a major scoring load, but the Grizzlies see value in his physical defense, competitive edge and steady approach. His addition gives Memphis another healthy guard at a position where availability has become its own form of production.
For a team trying to settle into the season while managing injuries, Mashack’s presence offers something simple but needed: a player who defends, plays with purpose, and fills gaps without demanding the spotlight.
In a month defined by adjustments, he gives the Grizzlies one more option — and a timely one.