5 New Year’s resolutions for the 2022 Memphis Grizzlies

Jaren Jackson should resolve to reduce the number of fouls committed

The unicorn himself, Jaren Jackson, Jr. has become one of the preeminent defenders in the NBA. However, his defense comes with a high price tag: excessive fouling.

Through 33 games played this season, Jackson has committed four or more fouls in a game 18 times.

Jackson has a knack for getting into foul trouble early, which forces him to the bench. It gives up valuable time when he could be on the court with Morant, something in which he’s already been limited over the years.

If Jackson is on the bench, he’s not out there spacing the floor or taking defenders off the dribble to the hoop.

This isn’t something new, but something Jackson is going to have to get figured out if he’s going to take that next step as an NBA player.

The Memphis Grizzlies should resolve to sign Tyus Jones to an extension

With Morant’s injury, coupled with the pandemic, back-ups and depth have become a currency not many people have the luxury of owning.

The Memphis Grizzlies have this in spades, especially in back-up Tyus Jones. In Morant’s absence, Jones proved invaluable at leading the offense.

He’s always been among the league leaders in assists-to-turnover ratio, but his three-point shot has been getting even better.

In the month of December, which was the bulk of when Morant was out, Jones averaged 10.1 points per game, 5.2 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and just 1 turnover per game.

Those are outstanding numbers and the Grizzlies should be thinking long and hard about resigning Jones to a contract extension to keep him in Memphis for a few more years. The veteran backup is slated to be an unrestricted free agent after this season.