Memphis Grizzlies: This is a make-or-break year for Jaren Jackson Jr.
This could be a make-or-break year for Jaren Jackson Jr. and the Memphis Grizzlies.
The 2021-22 NBA season is a big year for many players in the league. Although considering specific circumstances, I’m not sure we’re recognizing just how big this season is for Memphis Grizzlies big Jaren Jackson Jr.
Coming off an injury-riddled third season, there is some pressure on Jackson Jr. to take a bit step in his progression this year. Jackson Jr. only played in 11 games last season for the Grizzlies in which he averaged 14 points and six rebounds per game.
It was an extremely small sample size but Jackson Jr. didn’t look as good as he did during his sophomore season. Heading into this season, the Grizzlies and Jackson Jr. are both hoping that those 11 games were just a blip on his trend upward.
But that’s not a conclusion that could be jumped to. Not yet. Jackson Jr. has shown promise during his time in Memphis but he’s yet to make the jump to stardom. Considering that he’s a restricted free agent after the season if the Grizzlies are going to pay Jackson Jr. what he’ll likely demand on the open market, this is a big season.
The Grizzlies are in the early stages of a complete rebuild and appear to have found their foundational piece in Ja Morant. The early returns on Jackson Jr. were that he was going to be the solid second piece next to Morant. But after essentially missing his entire third season, the verdict is still out on Jackson Jr.
Their on-the-court success is also tied to Jackson Jr. Even though the Grizzlies made the playoffs last season, essentially without Jackson Jr., there’s no question that Memphis is a better team with a healthy and impactful Jackson Jr.
Jackson Jr. is just one of many players that have so much to play for this season. This season is not just about the Grizzlies’ rebuild either. Jackson Jr. has a lot of money in jeopardy if he can’t get back to the level of player he was at before his injury last season.
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Heading into the season, there are multiple questions for both the Grizzlies and Jackson Jr. They can’t begin to be answered until we find out how he’s going to look in his full return from injury.