Many media pundits and sportsbooks are low on the Memphis Grizzlies entering this season, following their offseason trading of Desmond Bane. While Ja Morant's injury history raises the most concern for the team, the development of Jaren Jackson Jr., evolving into a superstar, is needed for the team to elevate into a championship contender.
Jackson Jr. has been a hot name this summer following a disappointing playoff performance that had others doubting his effectiveness. ESPN's Kendrick Perkins called him the most overrated player in the NBA in late April, but the Grizzlies disagreed as they prioritized signing him to a five-year, $240 million contract extension in July.
With the largest contract in franchise history, expectations are bound to rise for the former Defensive Player of the Year winner. Ultimately, the team chose him as one of their faces, so it's go time as he enters his prime years.
The Grizzlies chose JJJ over Desmond Bane
Ja Morant is the best player on the Memphis Grizzlies, so the team will only go as far as he can take them. However, he needs help, and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane were the others who made up their core to build around. However, a first-round sweep led to the team making a decision to break up the core due to an admission of not being able to compete with them.
Desmond Bane was the highest-paid player on the roster at that time, with Jaren Jackson Jr. set to enter his final year of a bargain deal. They chose to trade Bane, which freed up additional money to extend Jaren Jackson Jr., and also re-signed Santi Aldama and signed Ty Jerome. Jackson Jr. surpassed Bane as the Grizzlies' second and sometimes first offensive option over their injury-riddled last two seasons.
His ability to stretch the floor as a big man and attack off the dribble makes him an intriguing threat to become one of the best players in the NBA. The tandem of he and Ja Morant has yet to produce together consistently, but the team is hopeful that the coaching change from Taylor Jenkins to Tuomas Iisalo will unlock their star tandem.
Losing Bane puts more on Jaren's plate, but as a two-time NBA All-Star and one of the NBA's best defenders, the team is expecting him to deliver on the biggest stage. His potential hasn't been reached yet, so he holds the key to the Grizzlies becoming a championship contender.