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

Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant will have more room to work

Something that sticks out on the stat sheet in a bad way for the 2020-21 season is Ja Morant‘s 3-point shooting percentages. He has been, for lack of a better term, terrible from downtown this season.

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s absence isn’t entirely to blame, but his return to the court will help Morant get back into a groove. Without Jackson, opposing teams can focus more on the perimeter, especially with Jonas Valanciunas as the only threat down low.

Morant’s 3-point shooting percentage will rise with Jackson Jr.’s return, but that’s not the only area where he will improve.

A couple of things that we’ll likely see a lot more of with Jackson Jr. back in the lineup are Morant layups and dishes down low to JJJ. Jackson Jr. will give opposing teams something to be distracted with while Morant gets to work in the lane.

Another big man will give the Morant more options when he drives to the pain. He can go up for the layup, dish it off to Valanciunas, or dish it off to Jackson Jr. This will force the defense to make a decision and should make everybody’s job easier.

It will be too late in the season to see a meteoric rise in his stats, but expect his numbers to get a late-season boost.