The Memphis Grizzlies will be a lock for the playoffs when Jaren Jackson Jr. returns

The Memphis Grizzlies haven’t been able to hit their full potential without Jaren Jackson Jr. in the lineup. He’s been injured for over 7 months and his date of return is still foggy.

But Taylor Jenkins has done a great job coaching this team and has kept them alive in the playoff race. They currently sit at 10th in the playoff race, with a relatively comfortable 3-game lead on the Oklahoma City Thunder, who look like they’re headed toward a tank.

The Grizzlies, on the other hand, will only get better from here. I know it seems like it’s never going to happen, but Jackson Jr. will return at some point and this Memphis team will get a huge boost heading into the playoffs.

Jaren Jackson Jr. will make the Memphis Grizzlies a lock for a playoff spot

When I say that the Memphis Grizzlies will be a lock for a playoff spot with Jaren Jackson Jr. back in the lineup, I’m not referring to a spot in a play-in game. The Grizzlies have every bit of potential to win a play-in game and make a run when JJJ is back.

Look at what this team has done without him so far this year. 18-19 and they’ve kept it competitive against NBA Finals-caliber teams. They’ve done this by using a flurry of bench depth and giving minutes to young players who may not earn minutes elsewhere.

The list of players ranges from rookies in Xavier Tillman and Desmond Bane to more established players with a lot of basketball ahead of them like Jonas Valanciunas. This technique has worked well enough so far.

But there has been a huge downside to this style of play.

Because of this team’s lack of experience, they’ve found themselves extremely susceptible to an occasional blowout. This comes due to defensive confusion, undisciplined play, and lack of star power. That being said, the Grizzlies clearly have the potential to compete.

That’s why JJJ is the last piece of the puzzle to make the team on Beale Street a playoff contender.

Will the Grizzlies go to the NBA Finals? In all likelihood, no. At least not for a few more years. But this team is taking every step in the right direction toward becoming a great NBA franchise. If they can get their shooting down, it’ll be game over for the rest of the league.

The Grizz are actually on track to beat last year’s record, even without JJJ in the lineup at all this year. When he returns, they’ll likely take a big step forward after he settles in.

If the Memphis Grizzlies remain in a play-in spot at this point, they have to be a favorite among those teams to make a deep playoff run.