The Memphis Grizzlies’ GG Jackson hype bus has come to a stop.
A debut season that resulted in second-team NBA all-rookie honors was only heightened after the 6-foot-9 forward went to Las Vegas Summer League and was one of the top performers. A clear trajectory had been set for Jackson to take the proverbial second-year NBA jump.
Then, an injury happened. Jackson is having surgery Wednesday after suffering a right foot injury on Aug. 27 while working out in the Dallas area.
A recovery timeline has not been set, but players who have suffered similar injuries typically return in or about a three-month span.
Jackson’s expected role this season is unclear. He was going to be one of the main players who has to adjust his game based on a high usage rating last season and the return of a healthy Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.
With Morant and Bane expected to play alongside Jaren Jackson Jr., losing GG Jackson shouldn’t shift the team’s overall goals of competing in the Western Conference, but it does have an impact on roster construction.
Here’s how GG Jackson’s injury shifts the outlook for the Grizzlies.
Jake LaRavia’s time is now
Jake LaRavia, it is time. LaRavia, a 2022 first-round pick, is a player who can get minutes at small and power forward like GG Jackson. LaRavia also shined in summer league play, but it’s now time for him to put it together in the regular season.
Shooting is one of the most confident areas of his game, but he also has proven to be a willing rebounder and defender. Showing continued growth in those areas could get him extended minutes early this season.
Sign a free agent?
Jackson’s injury gives the Grizzlies one less potential tall wing defender. Maybe this isn’t the most important thing in the world, but it must be pointed out when the West is loaded with wing scorers who are 6-6 and taller. LaRavia is 6-7, but he’s now on an island of his own as a wing defender with that height in Memphis. Marcus Smart and Vince Williams are shorter guards with lengthy wingspans, and Bane is 6-6 but with a 6-4 wingspan.
Memphis still has one open roster spot if it wants to go get a jumbo wing. This option should be explored only if Jackson will miss a large chunk of the season.
Grizzlies bench outlook
The Grizzlies bench seemed to have all of the needs covered. Luke Kennard would provide plus shooting, Brandon Clarke is a paint scoring magnet, and Williams has high-level perimeter defense abilities. Even if you throw Santi Aldama’s shooting in there, the Grizzlies still will be missing that shot creator off the bench who can go get a bucket.
GG Jackson will be that player when he’s healthy. Fortunately for the Grizzlies, this is an easy issue to mask early in the regular season. If Morant, Bane or Jaren Jackson Jr. are on the floor at all times, the Grizzlies will have a bucket-getter who can create shots.
