Amidst uncertainty, GG Jackson II ignites his star potential, showcasing polished scoring and versatility, hinting at a foundational future for the Grizzlies.
Unless you count Ja Morant, the Memphis Grizzlies do not currently employ an NBA superstar.
On a related note: You should not count Ja Morant. He's been sidelined for a while. It's uncertain whether he'll ever suit up for the Grizzlies again. Even if he does, he's likely to be traded in the offseason.
So, no superstar. The Grizzlies are at a crossroads. That said, one player is starting to flash star potential lately:
GG Jackson II has been on a tear.
Since the All-Star break, Jackson II is averaging 17.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting a scorching 44.4% from long-range.
On the season, Jackson II is generating 0.94 Points Per Possession (PPP) in isolation, per NBA.com. That ranks in the 61.1st percentile. For a 21-year-old who's seen sporadic playing time in three seasons of NBA basketball, that's an excellent mark.
Jackson II is a polished scorer. He's got solid footwork and fundamentals for his age. At 6'9", that makes him a potential star. Memphis needs to be featuring him prominently for the remainder of the year:
He could be a cornerstone player.
Grizzlies' future remains unclear
At this juncture, it's hard to predict who Memphis may draft this summer.
Yet, Jackson II should fit with just about anybody. Moreover, this entire Grizzlies' roster is portable. Cedric Coward can play the two, so if Memphis drafted AJ Dybansta, the three could share the floor. Coward could slide up to the three if they draft Darryn Peterson, keeping Jackson II at the four. Jackson II could slide down a position if they drafted Cameron Boozer.
The only other Grizzly who'd factor into the equation could be Zach Edey, and he's a 5 no matter what, unlike any of this crop of trop prospects. Even if (as is likely) the team slips out of the top 3, Jackson II and Coward's positional versatility will allow them to play with Caleb Wilson. The rest of the guys Memphis would be looking at are either guards or don't project to usurp Jackson II in the first place.
So, it behooves them to explore Jackson II's abilities. This has been a lost season for Memphis, but its future outlook is intriguing. Between Coward, Edey, and now Jackson II, the Grizzlies may have three foundational players with the opportunity to add a fourth this summer.
Who knows which may emerge as a superstar?