Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. predicted he would have a big year when TMZ stopped him for an interview at LAX earlier this month. Now, as season previews start to populate the internet, one major outlet believes that Pippen Jr. could be a dark horse candidate for a major NBA award this upcoming season. Last season was Pippen Jr.’s first as a full-time NBA player, as he spent his the previous season in Memphis on a two-way deal and his rookie season in Los Angeles on an Exhibit 10 contract that saw him spend nearly the entire season in the G League. Pippen averaged 12.9 points and 4.7 assists per game in 21 appearances with Memphis on that two-way deal in 2023-24, earning a standard four-year contract in October 2024.