JAHMAI Mashack

Mashack's rookie year in Memphis produced modest counting stats and ugly shooting splits. In 31 games last season he averaged 21.7 minutes, 6.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.5 blocks, with 1.6 turnovers. He shot 39.5 percent from the field, 25.3 percent from three and 54.3 percent from the line, good for a 45.6 true shooting percentage. His usage rate was 15.6 percent, so he was never a focal point of the offense. His plus-minus of -6.8 per game last season reflects both his own struggles and the losing he was part of. The steals number is the one encouraging line. The shooting is the obvious problem, and the free throw percentage stands out the most.

Mashack's biggest minutes came in the final weeks of last season, when Memphis was losing badly and the rotation opened up. On April 10 against Utah he played all 48.0 minutes and put up 13 points, 15 rebounds and 14 assists, a triple-double in a game Memphis lost by a wide margin, with a plus-minus of -46.0. Two days later against Houston he had 11 points, 1 rebound and 11 assists in 38.4 minutes. On April 8 against Denver he went for 9 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists in 32.8 minutes. On March 30 against Phoenix he scored 14 in 37.5 minutes. Every one of those games was a loss, and his plus-minus in that stretch ran from -13.0 to -46.0. The playmaking showed up, but it came in garbage time of a lost season.

At 6-4 with a 1.2 steals per game average last season, Mashack profiles as a defensive guard who can handle the ball some. The April run showed he can run an offense when asked, with 14 and 11 assist games against Utah and Houston. The question is whether he can shoot well enough to stay on the floor in competitive minutes. A 25.3 percent three-point mark and 54.3 percent at the line last season will not keep a guard in a rotation. The Grizzlies are winning early, which means the coaching staff has little reason to experiment. Mashack's path back is likely through defense and ball security first, with the shooting needing to improve in practice before it gets tested in games.

Mashack has no injury history on record and is not on the current injury report. That is a clean slate for a second-year player. Memphis sits at 3-1 after wins over Atlanta, Chicago and Charlotte and a loss to Orlando. With the team winning, the bench guard minutes will stay tight unless injuries or blowouts open the door. For Mashack, every short stint matters. A few clean possessions, a steal, a made shot could get him a longer look. Fans tracking him should watch minutes played more than points. If he starts seeing double-digit minutes in close games, that is the sign his standing has changed.