GG Jackson's tantalizing upside could create tough decisions for the Memphis Grizzlies
GG Jackson may be this season's Kenneth Lofton Jr. for the Memphis Grizzlies. He's an immensely talented player who the Grizzlies are planning to put on a two-way contract, but keeping him there may be difficult.
It's been only three Summer League games, but two things stood out when the Grizzlies made Jackson the No. 45 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. One was that he was the No.1 overall high school prospect in the class of 2023 before reclassifying to 2022, and the other is how his freshman year at South Carolina was underwhelming when factoring in his sky-high expectations.
The player at Summer League looks closer to the high school phenom than the 17-year-old college freshman who shot 38% from the field. Through three games, Jackson is averaging 13.7 points on 46.9% shooting overall, 46.7% on 3-pointers. He earned his first start Thursday night and finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds and made four of nine 3-pointers in the Grizzlies' 98-83 loss to the Utah Jazz.
This is a good thing for the Grizzlies, right? Once again, the early signs are showing that Memphis may have found a jewel — one year after Lofton became G League Rookie of the Year as an undrafted free agent.
Grizzlies general manger and president of basketball operations Zach Kleiman suggested after the draft that Jackson would be on a two-way contract this season and that still appears to be the case, but if the 18-year-old turns the flashes and high-level scoring and shooting into a consistent thing, he will be deserving of a standard contract.
Lofton started and played most of his rookie season on a two-way contract before the Grizzlies gave him a four-year deal ahead of the 2023 playoffs. Memphis has 16 players currently on standard contracts, and that number may go up when the Dillon Brooks sign-and-trade is finalized. Multiple reports have indicated that Josh Christopher will come to Memphis in that scenario.
The Grizzlies already will have to waive multiple players before the regular season, but what happens if Jackson stays on this trajectory while playing games in the G League with the Memphis Hustle? Jackson's scoring ability from all three levels has given the Grizzlies a different element at the forward position.
"A lot of teams are going to regret passing on GG Jackson," NBA Draft analyst Rafael Barlowe tweeted Thursday night. "You just don’t see guys with his talent, handle and offensive creativity at his size and age."
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Jackson's 6-foot-9 and his 215-pound frame make him tailor-made to play power forward once he fills out, but his play on the perimeter has been noticeable. He is yet to record an assist, but his ability to score off the dribble could help the Grizzlies solve their issue of halfcourt scoring during the past two seasons.
It may not be a problem right now, but soon the Grizzlies could have a decision on their hands with a roster full of impactful players and only 15 spots to give. The guard rotation is jam packed with Marcus Smart, Desmond Bane, Ja Morant, Derrick Rose and Luke Kennard primed to take up the minutes. John Konchar and recent first-round draft picks Ziaire Williams, Jake LaRavia and David Roddy could all factor into the small forward conversation and Jaren Jackson Jr., Santi Aldama, Steven Adams, Xavier Tillman Sr., Brandon Clarke and Lofton at power forward and center.
For now, the Grizzlies are able to stash Jackson on a two-way deal, but his talent level indicates he can be much more.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: GG Jackson's Summer League play is standing out for Memphis Grizzlies
