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Summer League Invite to Hold Newfound Significance for Memphis Grizzlies

By Christian Dudley

SALT LAKE CITY - JULY 2: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the handles the ball against Jason Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during the 2018 Summer League at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on July 2, 2018 in Salt Lake CIty, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY - JULY 2: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the handles the ball against Jason Collins #20 of the Atlanta Hawks during the 2018 Summer League at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on July 2, 2018 in Salt Lake CIty, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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It is only a couple Salt Lake City Summer League games for the Memphis Grizzlies, but they will certainly find value within the invitation.

NBA Summer League games do not hold much value in terms of championship rings, All-Star accolades, and more of the like. However, these exhibition games are building blocks for some NBA players — especially the Memphis Grizzlies‘ youth — and they provide great excitement for each team’s die-hard fans.

This week, the Grizzlies announced that they will be participating in the annual Salt Lake City Summer League once again. It is to be assumed that Memphis will also take part in either the Orlando or Las Vegas summer leagues hosted by the NBA.

This will be the first chance to see the Memphis Grizzlies’ rookies in action, but only if they happen to gather any in June’s NBA Draft. We will know more on the likelihood of the Grizzlies making a selection in the Draft following May 14th’s NBA Draft Lottery event.

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Regardless of having any rookies or not, this is a prime opportunity for the Memphis Grizzlies to look at some undrafted talent and/or “uknown” free-agent gems. Think back to 2018 and you may remember strong performances by names such as Brandon Goodwin, Kobi Simmons, and Markel Crawford. Perhaps Memphis can land an underrated piece of their future core at this point in time once July arrives.

The Salt Lake City Summer League presents only a few total games to be played by the four participating teams. Regardless, these are great learning opportunities for players — especially the young guys just entering their professional hoops careers. Plus, the games can be very competitive considering a lot of players are playing to earn a spot in NBA training camp — it is do or die.

As far as the Memphis Grizzlies are concerned, the biggest point of emphasis is getting their next head coach integrated immediately. Though they have a few candidates but no final decision on their next leader, it is never too soon to game-plan for summer league action. The Grizzlies should have a handful of guys from the 2018-19 season’s final roster playing in the Salt Lake City Summer League, so it makes a lot of sense to have the eventual head coach actually coaching the summer league squad.

Assuming this is the action taken by the Memphis Grizzlies’ Front Office, it may not be crazy at all to think Jaren Jackson Jr. will participate in some of the summer league games. He did shine as an NBA rookie this season, but he only appeared in 58 of 82 regular season contests. Summer league could serve as a form of conditioning for Jackson Jr., who has not played in a regulation game since February 15th, which happened to be the Rising Stars Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend.

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In being one of four teams selected for the Salt Lake City Summer League, the Memphis Grizzlies should appreciate the invitation. Of all seasons to be extended the opportunity, 2019 is the perfect time to participate. This Grizzlies squad needs all the chances at experience, familiarity, and continuity that it can get. A handful of their potential summer league guys will likely log significant minutes in the 2019-20 regular season.

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