For years now, the Memphis Grizzlies have been searching for a trusty player to serve as their primary wing within the rotation.
From the infamous Andre Iguodala trade of 2019 to the reach of a lottery selection in Ziaire Williams back in 2021, Zach Kleiman and company have tried and failed on several different strategies in their attempt to find a solution to the three spot within their lineup.
Funny enough, while exuding the least amount of flair and flavor that generally has come with their efforts in search of a stable wing, it seems the franchise may have finally landed such a talent in 2023 second-round pick, GG Jackson, who established himself as a real difference-maker during his debut campaign in Grind City.
Through 48 games played, the former Gamecock went on to serve as one of the lone bright spots during Memphis’ putrid 27-55 season, dropping impressive averages of 14.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per night while shooting 35.7 percent from distance.
His efforts proved to be so captivating that he wound up being the only second-rounder named to an All-Rookie team last year and has many excited about what advancements to his game may come as he gears up for a highly anticipated sophomore run.
And while the hope heading into year two is that Jackson can officially take that next step in his career trajectory and solidify his status as the future of the wing position for the Grizzlies, when it comes to narrowing down the “biggest X-factor” on the team in 2024-25, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes has seemingly cast the 19-year-old to the wayside in favor of shiny new rookie, Zach Edey.
Grizzlies ‘biggest X-factor’ deemed Zach Edey, not GG Jackson
Though admitting right off the bat that it’s generally “unusual” for a rookie to be seen as an X-factor for legitimate playoff contending teams, Hughes sees Edey as the potential perfect successor to the pivot position that was previously held by Steven Adams, who helped the Grizzlies come across 107 wins from 2021-22 through 2022-23.
With the core trio of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane all coming back healthy, the major missing link within coach Taylor Jenkins’ rotation seems to be at starting center. However, with the 7-foot-4 behemoth now in tow, the potential for them to reestablish themselves as a 50-win team is rather strong, especially if he can play to his strengths and, in turn, Memphis’ needs.
“If Edey can survive in pick-and-roll defense, bludgeon opponents on the offensive glass and set screens, he’ll have a chance to replicate what former Memphis center Steven Adams did so well a couple of years ago. Better still, Edey can unleash Jackson as a roving power forward on D, a role he last handled in 2022-23 when he won Defensive Player of the Year,” Hughes wrote.
In truth, having Edey play up to his full potential — he comes into the association fresh off two consecutive AP Player of the Year awards and dropped 14 points, 15 rebounds, and 4 blocks in his lone full Summer League game — is something that will likely only benefit this Grizzlies team in 2024-25, but there’s an argument to be made that he’s not as important to them reaching their fullest potential as Jackson is.
Let’s not forget that when both Morant, Bane, and Trip-J were healthy and predominantly on the court together Memphis rattled off four straight wins and were boasting a 6-3 record with Jackson Jr. playing the five before their superstar cornerstone went down for the remainder of the year after undergoing shoulder surgery.
On top of this, even when accompanied by a sturdy interior force such as Adams and Jonas Valanciunas in previous campaigns, their ceiling only proved to be a second-round appearance that ended in six games.
Edey easily appears to be better than many pre-draft projections indicated, but his arrival doesn’t seem to advance this unit’s potential. Rather, it just stabilizes it and brings it back to pre-2023-24 form.
Having a guy like GG and his impressive scoring abilities included in this already lethal mix could wind up being a true blessing, and incorporating him as a secondary shot and playmaker during this upcoming season will likely help stave off any real stagnant offensive performances moving forward.
So while Edey is someone who will undoubtedly add much-needed stability and strength to their main rotation heading into 2024-25, there’s a strong case to be made that it’s Jackson who’s the X-factor that will bring Memphis to the levels they aspire to be playing at in 2024-25.
