Yesterday, on February 8th, marked the final day for teams in the league to finalize their contracts and make player trades before the crucial stretch of the season.
The Memphis Grizzlies made a substantial addition to their roster just before the deadline by converting rookie GG Jackson’s contract to a standard rookie contract, a dream come true for the youngster.
GG Jackson’s two-way contract to standard roster
Drafted 45th in the 2023-24 NBA Draft, GG Jackson struggled to secure playing time for the Memphis Grizzlies. On a team that was once stacked with both young players and veterans, finding playing time is no easy task.
Plagued with injuries and setbacks, the Grizzlies were soon out of players for their squad. What was a talented pool of players ended up being filled with injury hazards but this has come as a blessing in disguise for the young GG Jackson. With multiple players not available, the team opened up its door to GG Jackson, initially with a two-way deal to test if the player had what it takes to play in the league.
Over the past few weeks, Jackson has shown his worth for the Grizzlies, often leading the team by example. With his dominant slams and efficient shooting abilities, the youngest player in the 2023-24 Draft Class, Jackson, averaged 8.2 points per game, along with 3.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists. In his last game against the Chicago Bulls, GG achieved his career high with a mighty 27 points coming off the bench.
According to senior NBA insider and analyst Adrian Wojnarowski, the Memphis Grizzlies and GG Jackson agreed to a four-year deal, which included three guaranteed seasons. The move guarantees the player as a member of the Memphis Grizzlies fraternity and comes amidst the basketball team’s aim to secure the future.
Team Adjustments: Roster Changes and Future Plans
The Grizzlies are one of the most talented teams to look out for in the near future. With the likes of superstar Ja Morant and Desmond Mane running the floor, Memphis are a force to reckon with when healthy. The team has solid players for each position and while the team relies massively on Ja, variety, and structure are provided by big man Jaren Jackson Jr.
Now the inclusion of another youngster adds on to the increase in variety and offensive efficiency. Apart from this, the team have been quite active in the trade market, acquiring effective players while also off-loading players that they feel are not bringing any value to the team.
As part of building an effective roster, the team announced earlier today that it acquired forwards Yuta Watanabe and Chimezie Metu and a future first-round pick swap from the Phoenix Suns in a three-team trade, also involving the Brooklyn Nets. These successive moves indicate that the team is not just focusing on the present but also has a vision for the future, especially in a period where their superstars are healthy and back on the court.
These season, the team has been fractured and overcome by injuries, subsequently resulting in poor performances throughout their run this year. Sitting at the 13th place in the Western Conference, the team are in ‘no mans land’.
Can the Grizzlies make a major comeback this season? Will the addition of GG Jackson help the team to thrive? We are eager to know your thoughts on the team, so feel free to comment below.
