NBA training camp is two weeks away for the majority of NBA teams, including the Memphis Grizzlies. Their offseason has been a busy one with seven newcomers (including two-way guys) to a team that had a disappointing end to last season. Surrounding their roster moves were injuries to their starting frontcourt players, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey.
Edey went down earlier in the offseason after suffering an ankle injury during a workout that required surgery. He is expected to miss the beginning of the regular season. Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a turf toe injury during a workout that required surgery in early July, for which he was given a three-month timeline.
However, due to the injury history of the Grizzlies in recent years, fans have been timid about the prospects of both players missing time to start the season. Jaren Jackson Jr. hosted a youth camp in Memphis recently and gave an update that should inspire confidence in his return to the court coming sooner.
Jaren Jackson Jr. appears ready to return
One notable aspect that was shown in videos of Jaren Jackson Jr. engaging with kids who attended his camp was his movement on the court. He didn't have a boot and was moving around freely without hesitation on the surgically repaired foot.
He spoke to the media afterward, and while he didn't commit to being back for their first regular-season game, he did give an endorsement that he is on track to return if he keeps progressing. The Grizzlies have had to operate with an assumption that they may be without their All-Star big man for a few games, similar to last season.
Jaren Jackson Jr. suffered a hamstring injury in the team's opening week of training camp, and it kept him out for a couple of weeks, including the Grizzlies' first two games of the regular season. He only missed five additional games due to injury throughout the rest of the regular season, sparking confidence that this season could be the same.
The Grizzlies have a heavy home slate to begin the season, with their first three games coming at the FedExForum, so they can ease him back if needed. Jaren Jackson Jr. is coming off a career year and is expected to take another step as the leader of the team following the departure of Desmond Bane this offseason.
Gaining him back sooner than they thought would bring an extra boost to a team that is looking to make some noise in the tough Western Conference.