Memphis Grizzlies: 5 areas of improvement upon Jaren Jackson Jr.’s return

For Memphis Grizzlies fans, it feels like it has been years since Jaren Jackson Jr. suited up for a game. He’s been out with a torn meniscus for 7 months and counting.

A few days ago, Grizzlies fans were finally given what they’ve been asking about for months — a timeframe for Jackson Jr.’s return.

Grizzlies GM Zach Kleiman updated his status with a late-April return date. This wasn’t necessarily what Grizz fans were looking for, but nobody will complain about this announcement. That said, this leaves a question for Grizzlies fans: how will this team improve with JJJ back in the lineup?

The Memphis Grizzlies will see instant defensive improvements with Jaren Jackson Jr. back

Perhaps the biggest regression that we’ve seen from this Memphis Grizzlies team in the absence of Jaren Jackson Jr. comes on the defensive end of the court.

At times this season, the defense has seemed lost and confused. The return of Justise Winslow has helped, but this team has some serious defensive holes in it.

Jackson Jr. will patch most of those immediately. In fact, this is an objectively better defensive unit than it was last year. Even without Jackson Jr., the team’s best defender, they have made the move from 13th to 7th in NBA Defensive Efficiency rankings.

That said, it has been a rough year defending the 3-ball and much of this comes from the fact that the Grizzlies are overcompensating down low. With Kyle Anderson playing the four, Jonas Valanciunas is the only true big man in the rotation.

Jaren Jackson Jr. will change that.