The Memphis Grizzlies already have their missing piece…in the G League

The Memphis Grizzlies have been surprising everybody with this early run, winning four of their last six games. However, in order to take it to the next step, they’re going to need another piece. Luckily, they’ve already got that piece in the G League.

For a team in the first season of their official rebuild, the Memphis Grizzlies have been outperforming expectations all season. They’ve won four of their last six games, and in every one of those games the new faces to the team stepped up and showed that they had the skills necessary to lead the team.

Still, as is the case with any young team, the Grizzlies are in need of some more pieces for the team. Normally, this piece comes from either trades, free agent signings, or the draft. However, for Memphis, one of these pieces could join the team at any time, because he’s assigned to the team’s G League Affiliate, the Memphis Hustle.

That piece is Josh Jackson.

Jackson was acquired during the offseason from the Phoenix Suns, and just a few weeks before the beginning of the season, they sent him down to the G League, presumably so that he could develop a little more, both in his on the court and off the court actions.

While with the Hustle, Jackson has shined. He’s currently averaging 19.3 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.8 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game through his first four games. In half of those games, Jackson recorded a double double, and he’s been shooting an incredibly impressive 48/58/66 split.

On big area that the Grizzlies need to improve on is defense. They are near the bottom of the league in nearly every defensive category, and the addition of Josh Jackson could greatly improve their intimidation on that side of the court.

Another way that Jackson could fit into this new Memphis system is in his fast paced style of play. Memphis has one of the highest paces in the league, and they are constantly pushing the ball and picking up the speed of the game.

It’s almost universally acknowledged that Jackson’s skill level is enough to earn him a spot on just about any roster in the league. However, it is concerns surrounding those aforementioned off court issues that the Grizzlies are looking to test right now.

When Jackson can show Memphis that he’s reached the level of maturity that is a necessity in the modern NBA, it’s not a long shot to say that would be when he’ll be called up. Jackson’s ability speaks for itself, now, he just has to show that he has the attitude and levelheadedness that comes with being in the spotlight of the NBA.