Grizzlies: Josh Jackson to start season on G League

The Memphis Grizzlies have decided to start Josh Jackson off with their G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. Could this be the best move for the young small forward?

Two years ago, Josh Jackson was a fourth overall pick coming onto a Phoenix Suns team that saw him as a potential cornerstone to their rebuild. Then, as he’s coming to the end of his rookie contract, the Suns deal him, De’Anthony Melton, and a few picks to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jevon Carter and Kyle Korver.

Jackson was part of a huge crop of small forwards for the Grizzlies this summer, and everyone knew that not all of them could end up on the team.

Now Michael Wallce of Grind City Media is reporting that Jackson will not start the season with the Grizzlies, but rather with their G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle:

Jackson didn’t have an awful performance over these last two years. He’s averaged 12.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.0 steals over his career, however, he struggles shooting the ball at points, with a shooting split of 41.5/29.4/65.0 over his career. Jackson also seems to be more of a volume shooter, averaging 11.4 field goal attempts and making just 4.7 field goals per game over his career.

Going to the Hustle could prove to be incredibly helpful for Jackson; both in his on-court performance and off-court behavior.

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On the court, going to the NBA G League could help Jackson develop as a young player, and morph into the veteran that teams thought he could become during the draft.

Jackson most likely wasn’t going to see a huge amount of playing time with the likes of Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen, De’Anthony Melton, and Jae Crowder already on the team, so going down to developmental could give him the floor time he needs to bud into a solid NBA sixth man, or possibly even a reliable starter in the league.

As for his off the court issues, some are speculating that this move by the Grizzlies is also to see if Jackson can behave himself for long enough to be effective on the team.

Jackson has a long history of off the court issues, which span back to his collegiate days. In 2017, Jackson was suspended for one game by Kansas coach Bill Self for, “duty upon striking an unattended vehicle, inattentive driving and improper backing.” He was also charged with criminal property damage in 2016, after a Kansas female player alleged that Jackson had destroyed her car at a party.

While in the NBA, Jackson was fined $35,000 for making a “menacing gesture” and using “inappropriate language” towards a fan. He was also fined $20,000 for missing an autograph session, though Jackson claimed he had “family issues.”

Part of those issues may have steamed from an ongoing lawsuit, in which Jackson’s baby mama claimed that he got their 5-year-old daughter high during a weekend visit. Jackson has also been placed under arrest for resisting arrest at a Miami Music Festival.

Regardless of all of this Jackson now has the chance to prove that he has turned over a new leaf as a member of the Memphis Hustle.

If his time on the Hustle proves to be beneficial, Jackson could go on to have a lasting career as a reliable player in the NBA. But he needs to grow up a little more, both in relation to his game, and his life.