How the Grizzlies can give GG Jackson room to grow during the NBA Playoffs

NBA fans enjoy tinkering with the various trading machines available. However, there are rare occasions when the best mid-season additions are already sitting on the bench. The The Memphis Grizzlies are sitting on a recipe for success already but Taylor Jenkins another 6-foot-9, 225-pound phenom will be available soon. Sitting in third place and with plenty of positive momentum, I Morant’s Grizzlies are still learning but Memphis should find a way to get GG Jackson (leg) comfortable on the varsity team soon.

Through trade or trial and error, Jenkins must find time for Jackson when he’s ready. Finding someone who can cheaply score 14.6 points, grab 4.1 rebounds and dish out 1.2 assists in about 25 minutes of action is a challenge. Buying that stat at $1.89 million is almost impossible. The Grizzlies will get that injection of talent for free.

Jackson, assigned to the Memphis Hustle (G-League), gave VREG take a look at the rehabilitation process and says the goal is to be ready to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

“The plan was to fly to San Antonio, but I told the coach that I needed a little more time to find myself,” Jackson said. “If it’s Monday when they want me to play, obviously I’ll dress up. If not, I definitely want to get more work with Hustle.”

Jackson is always smiling and his energy is back in a big way. While the rehabilitation process is a test of patience and endurance, Jackson’s support system helps keep his spirits up and his edges sharp.

“The people who fix you and heal you every day, they tell you, like just take it one step at a time,” Jackson explained. “(It’s) just a competitive advantage, they know I want to get out as soon as possible. But like they said, I just have to take it one step at a time.”

The Grizzlies have done well throughout Jackson’s rehab process, keeping pace in the Western Conference. Bringing GG Jackson back made no sense. Honestly, this time back on the NBA hardwood is nothing new for the 20-year-old.

“It seems like every new year I start off at the bottom, so I’m kind of used to it,” Jackson began. “But it always feels good to shock people again, so I’m waiting for that shock.”

Memphis is betting that those shockingly good moments will come sooner rather than later. Jackson was with the team all season, lounging around the locker room and celebrating every play on the sidelines. However, not being able to get on the field is a difference no player can overcome while dealing with an injury. Developing certain chemistries requires being in the field.

It’s been a mental repeat with the Grizzlies for Jackson so far.

“I was there for training camp, but I wasn’t involved,” Jackson noted. “Those guys already have a built-in chemistry that I kind of have just from watching and asking questions and stuff. I’m just trying to take at least one thing from the game, how I would fit it into that scenario or what I would do.”

Two recent games with the Hustle were encouraging though. GG Jackson had plenty of energy (five rebounds) to go along with the rust (four turnovers). He scored 18 points on 5-of-16 shooting from the field in his debut. The G-League’s second game to shake off the rust went much better from a statistical standpoint. Jackson scored 28 points and grabbed eight rebounds while going 8 of 15 from the field. Three big threes helped the Hustle to a 135-121 victory.

As for the plan once recalled to the NBA roster?

“I just don’t want to be a liability there,” Jackson admitted. “Someone they call for a high ball.” I have to find that extra edge that, well, what Jalen Wells got. I have to find it.”

Taylor Jenkins needs to find a few more minutes and it’s hard to argue that Wales should suffer. The Grizzlies have time to sort out the rotation, but Jackson is too good to sit out. Any trade should look to free up some cap space for the former second-round pick to be one of the first options off the bench.