The Memphis Grizzlies still haven’t been able to stave off the injury bug.
GG Jackson II and Vince Williams Jr. have already went down. Though they figure to be back before the All-Star Break, it’s a big blow to their hopes of getting off to a good start. Both Jackson and Williams were potential starters, offering Memphis small forward options that raised their offensive ceiling.
Last season, Marcus Smart started alongside Ja Morant and Desmond Bane on the perimeter when he was healthy. However, he wasn’t as efficient from beyond the arc as either Jackson or Williams, making it harder for him to mesh with Morant. The Grizzlies believe that Smart is a defensive tone-setter. Nonetheless, he’s not as sensible a fit on offense as Jackson, Morant, Jaylen Wells, or John Konchar.
Even Jake LaRavia could be a better choice for the first unit.
Grizzlies Lose Core Player Jaren Jackson Jr. For Indefinite Period
Now, Jaren Jackson Jr. will be sidelined indefinitely, per ESPN insider Tim MacMahon.
Grizzlies PF/C Jaren Jackson Jr. experienced hamstring tightness during the first practice of camp. He will get imaging. “We’re anticipating it might be a strain,” coach Taylor Jenkins said. Timetable TBD.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) October 1, 2024
On the first day of training camp, Jackson Jr. suffered a hamstring injury, believed to be a strain. In a vacuum, this doesn’t present much a need to be concerned, especially so early into training camp. Yet, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year has missed at least 15 games in each of the past two seasons. Consequently, he’s developing a reputation as an injury-prone player.
In the immediate aftermath of Jackson Jr.’s injury, it’s actually LaRavia and Santi Aldama who stand to gain the most. While more of a combo forward, LaRavia has defensive upside and can stretch the floor. The problem is that he isn’t particularly efficient from beyond the arc, though Jackson Jr. isn’t either, to be fair.
However, Aldama made 36.1 percent of his catch-and-shoot 3s last season. The Spaniard isn’t a standout defender. Nonetheless, he does have potential as a rim-protector. So, so far as replacing Jackson Jr., he may have the best shot.
Of course, with his injury timeline yet to be determined, Jackson Jr. could return before the regular season. Still, hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, nagging players throughout a season. Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James and Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton are recent examples of that.
