The NBA is a league where the development of talent is paramount to a team's success and the situation provided either makes or breaks that development. The Grizzlies attempted and failed at solving their hole for a veteran wing player to complement their big three core of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. at the trade deadline.
While all is not lost as they are tied for the two seed in the Western Conference with 14 games remaining, their youth is showing in those positions. The problem the Grizzlies face is they don't have time to simultaneously develop and prepare for an expectation of a lengthy playoff run.
One wing in particular is struggling to make a case for himself to be in the playoff rotation and the team just made a move that may have sealed his fate this season.
GG Jackson was assigned to the NBA G League
For the entire first half of the season, the Grizzlies' fanbase anticipated the return of one of the only bright spots from a lost season last year. GG Jackson made the All-Rookie Second Team after playing only 48 games, mostly in the second half of the regular season after spending time on a two-way contract with the Grizzlies G League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle.
He displayed a scoring ability from the wing position the franchise hasn't seen since they traded Rudy Gay in 2013. However, after a successful summer league stint that saw him make the All-Summer League First Team, he suffered a broken fifth metatarsal in a workout that caused him to miss the first 42 games of the season.
He even chose to play three games with the Memphis Hustle to help work himself into game shape for his return to the Grizzlies' lineup. After gradually getting his minutes increased (played 10 minutes each in his first two games), he averaged 11 points on 35.8% shooting from three in his next 12 games.
He also had positive moments when he scored 27 points against the San Antonio Spurs on February 3rd and made three consecutive 3-pointers in the third quarter of their game against the Orlando Magic on February 21st that spearheaded a 19-point comeback win on the road.
However, that sustainability has been lost since that game as his minutes have been inconsistent, mostly due to his team-worst defensive rating when on the court (122.2). The next closet player in the defensive rating on the court is Vince Williams Jr. with 113.7.
There was a moment during the second quarter of the Grizzlies' win over the Utah Jazz last week that saw coach Taylor Jenkins visibly frustrated with GG Jackson's defense after calling a timeout when he gave up an open layup on a drive. He eventually was replaced in the middle of the third quarter and didn't return to the game.
After scoring nine points in 20 total minutes in the Grizzlies' two-weekend games, GG Jackson was assigned to the Memphis Hustle ahead of their five-game road trip. With Santi Aldama still on the injury report as doubtful with a calf strain, this appears to be the team moving forward with GG Jackson not being a part of the playoff rotation.
Veteran forward Lamar Stevens was recently signed for the remainder of the season and played more minutes than GG Jackson in their last two games, which could've been a sign for things to come. GG Jackson's future remains bright but the team looks to be prioritizing acting like contenders over developing at this point of the season.