The Memphis Grizzlies were poised of entering the 2024-25 as a fully healthy roster and return to the ranks of the budding up contending team in the Western Conference but that notion lasted only up to last Friday when the team received a bit of a setback after it was announced that GG Jackson II had suffered a fractured right fifth metatarsal, a bone that connects the pinky toe to the ankle and he would need surgery. On Wednesday the Grizzlies came to reveal that on the same day Jackson underwent successful surgery and he was set to be re-evaluated in approximately 3 months.
What this entitles means that Jackson will not only miss the training camp, the preseason games but also the first six or so weeks of the regular season games. When Jackson gets through rehab and his ramp-up period, he will have to find his place on what should be a team that is a world best than it was the previous season. With Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Marcus Smart, and Brandon Clarke set to remain healthy, and the first-round pick, Zach Edey available, the Grizzlies’ aspirations are entirely believable. The trouble is, however, that they remain undecided about which of its forwards is going to lock up big-minute responsibilities in the rotation. Jackson talent should make him to be among them.
Jackson is only 19 years old and played for a team which had the youngest roster in the NBA last season, and he was a real revelation after being drafted by the Grizzlies with the 45th pick in the 2023 draft. He was able to score an average of 14 in 48 appearances he made. 6 points in 25. 7 minutes per game on average on 55. 4% true shooting. In the new 2023-24 season, the Memphis team recorded 27-55 wins and losses, However, the team had two breakthrough players – Jackson and Vince Williams Jr, the later was signed by Grizzlies from the second-round pick of the 2022 NBA Draft.
When Jackson entered South Carolina as an 18-year-old freshman, he was of concern for his shot making ability. But after nearly half a season in Memphis, and at the time this piece was writing, he was a contender for the rookie shooter throne. Instead Jackson got only 35 and was out of the game and the 11 players became 10. He was hitting 7 percent of 3s on average, six shots per game. He displayed legit range as an off the catch shooter as well as a skill in ball handling when defender is sagging.
He is tall and fairly built up – quite the basketball player actually. They are not good final points numbers there though he has a good sense of how to get points in traffic with foot and skill. The Grizzlies will miss him early on, and this certainly is not an ideal way for him to start in his second year, but Grizzlies’ (and his) season should not be defined or restricted because of his absence. In other words if Morant and company get off to a good start and remain injury free and can gain some traction while Jackson is out, his return into the line up can be quite a boost.
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