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https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/2019/10/28/josh-jackson-former-first-round-pick-starts-memphis-g-league-stint-monday/2486051001/

To sum it up:

Josh Jackson was not guaranteed an extension on his rookie contract on last week. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. Thus finding himself in the situation where he has to fight it out in the G-League. Double J is mentioned to be working on his shooting, ball handling and putting on muscle. His focus is to show what capabilities he can produce on the court in the right situation. He doesn't know if the opportunity will come knocking at all. All he knows is that he will focus on fighting perhaps for his NBA career.

Thanks for the update SD.

I assume by not picking up his option, they had 2 potential motives.

1- To make him an 8m expiring, potential trade filler.
2- Give him some extra incentive to put in the work on his G league development stint, with no guaranteed money to fall back on.

Not sure I agree with dropping the control of this potential asset. What happens if he proves worth keeping based in a half season worth of evidence where he could either regress on a new contract or have a team swoop in & reap the reward of his development.

“I think this year we have a lot more structure here as opposed to what we did in Phoenix," Jackson said. "The team was just a little bit too young. And with that comes a lot of things that you don’t know, that you have to learn. Here I feel like we’ve got great guys in place as far as a coaching staff and training staff to kind of coach us a little bit more as to how to be a pro.”

This is why I think 3J is struggling right now more so than last season when surrounded by veteran play & structure. Ja is currently not a good defender, the wing rotation is very inconsistent & a lot of defensive mistakes are being made, where Jackson has been trying to clean them up to a buffet of foul calls, which combined, have him out of rhythm.

I was thinking about maybe starting Clarke next to Jonas who has less of an offensive arsenal & let Jaren come in off the bench as an offensive focal point, then when in rhythm have him close out the game, with Clarke.

Whole Truth wrote:Thanks for the update SD.

I assume by not picking up his option, they had 2 potential motives.

1- To make him an 8m expiring, potential trade filler.
2- Give him some extra incentive to put in the work on his G league development stint, with no guaranteed money to fall back on.

Not sure I agree with dropping the control of this potential asset. What happens if he proves worth keeping based in a half season worth of evidence where he could either regress on a new contract or have a team swoop in & reap the reward of his development.

If Josh shows anything, Memphis can resign him to what would likely be a much more team-friendly deal than the 8.9m we would have been on the hook for. It also keeps us from having almost 9m in basically dead money on the books if Josh shows absolutely nothing this year. Of the 4 (or 5 if NYK declines team options) teams with 20+m space, Memphis probably has the best situation for Jackson. NYK already have a few guards not getting minutes so SG is cramped. MEM has a gaping hole at SG and a pass-first PG/defensive anchor in JJJ that should make life easy on him. CHA could be interested, but they also have Malik Monk. CLE has both Garland and Sexton that they have been playing as their two main guards. ATL and Huerter that they like a lot. I think it is a smart gamble. The only issue would be a team using their MLE on him but if Josh is indeed that good then we can just pay him a little extra and keep him. I just don't think he will be good enough to warrant an 8+m a year deal from anyone so him being an expiring deal/not on the books for a lot of money next year is likely the way to go.

VCfor3 wrote:

Whole Truth wrote:Thanks for the update SD.

I assume by not picking up his option, they had 2 potential motives.

1- To make him an 8m expiring, potential trade filler.
2- Give him some extra incentive to put in the work on his G league development stint, with no guaranteed money to fall back on.

Not sure I agree with dropping the control of this potential asset. What happens if he proves worth keeping based in a half season worth of evidence where he could either regress on a new contract or have a team swoop in & reap the reward of his development.

If Josh shows anything, Memphis can resign him to what would likely be a much more team-friendly deal than the 8.9m we would have been on the hook for. It also keeps us from having almost 9m in basically dead money on the books if Josh shows absolutely nothing this year. Of the 4 (or 5 if NYK declines team options) teams with 20+m space, Memphis probably has the best situation for Jackson. NYK already have a few guards not getting minutes so SG is cramped. MEM has a gaping hole at SG and a pass-first PG/defensive anchor in JJJ that should make life easy on him. CHA could be interested, but they also have Malik Monk. CLE has both Garland and Sexton that they have been playing as their two main guards. ATL and Huerter that they like a lot. I think it is a smart gamble. The only issue would be a team using their MLE on him but if Josh is indeed that good then we can just pay him a little extra and keep him. I just don't think he will be good enough to warrant an 8+m a year deal from anyone so him being an expiring deal/not on the books for a lot of money next year is likely the way to go.

Another reassuring post, it's good to know Memphis catered for who could potentially throw money at him.. nice run down btw.

I ask because I've seen this situation play out before. Masai picked up Bizz in FA for the vet min, no option, who Charlotte threw away as Suns did Jackson. He obviously did not expect, cater, for the success that transpired. Which was Biz & Jonas helping to carry the Raptors to the ECF's on a career year. Magic swooped in with an overpayment despite having Vuc & Ibaka targeted in trade giving up on young Oladipo, only to have buyers remorse on Bizz who would eventually become an overpaid bench player. Magic would later that year flip a declining Ibaka, ironically to Toronto. They overpaid on a small sample of success & little consideration of how well he fit the Raptors roster. Raptors on the other hand, ended up losing someone who was extremely effective for them & their playoff run, where Masai had to find an alternative, capped out.

Masai had no option at that price point but to cut bait & to use his NY owed 8th pick to draft a cheap replacement big in Poeltl to supplement the loss but obviously a rookie big is not an ideal replacement for a big who's play just helped you to a ECF run. That was a move based in hopes & Prayers the young big would be effective enough as a rookie. Sure enough, as the season closed & Raptors were facing a playoff run, Masai targeted Ibaka in trade giving up a young 3&D wing in Ross. Ibaka in his short stint, proved unplayable that year in the playoffs after opening well against Washington in game 1. Then as a UFA Masai had to resign him to a similar price point he didn't match with Bizz to save face for giving up Ross in trade because it sure wasn't because of Ibaka's declining play at PF that year which warranted his new contract. This is why they moved Jonas to the bench so they could move the newly signed Ibaka to the 5 because he was too slow at PF. He benefited luxuries Jonas didn't have when he was starting, which was Pascal coming out as MIP & DeRozan's perimeter defense being replaced by Kawhi & Green. (In the 9 games or so Jonas "started" with that starting unit, he was a +22)

The team situations are obviously different but I do have concern if things click for Jackson some team will throw bad money at him forcing the Grizz hand in a best case scenario for the reclamation talent. A situation we are hoping for. The last thing Memphis would want, is to have to sign him to more money based on a really good half season, which while not a probability, a possibility.

Jackson has the type talent personality that I would not have declined the control option as to get a better reading on what he could potentially provide without having to overcommit because of some positive early signs of improvement.

Josh Jackson deserves a promotion

Jackson’s assignment hasn’t been like most players when they are assigned to the G-League. Typically, a player will be called up and down numerous times allowing them to practice and play with both the NBA squad and the G-League affiliate. Jackson, however, has essentially been a $7 million G-Leaguer. Jackson has spent his entire Grizzlies tenure with the Hustle. He didn’t participate in the Grizzlies training camp, nor was he a part of their media days.

Through 7 games Jackson has averaged 21 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.9 steals for the Hustle. Jackson has also been efficient scoring the ball, shooting 54.5% from beyond the arc, and 48.4% overall entering last night’s matchup. The numbers are there, but also expected, as the Grizzlies would have bigger problems if Jackson wasn’t dominating the G-League. He has been playing his ass off, which again, is something expected of a guy who is trying to revitalize his NBA career.

Where Josh has exceeded expectations, or at least my expectations, is how engaged he has been from day one. He seems to genuinely care about the Hustle, his teammates and their overall success, which isn’t something you always see from guys sent down on assignment. Josh could worry about getting his numbers and call it a day, but instead he takes initiative to help coach and instruct his teammates on the court. Josh has shown a maturity most have not seen of him professionally until this season.

Spoiler:

Code: Select all

“I couldn’t be more serious when I say what I’m about to say about him. I’m extremely proud of him. I think he has handled himself very well through this process. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s playing as hard as anyone in this league right now. He should be given a lot of credit for what’s going on right now with our team. He’s been a leader in the locker room and I’ve been very happy with everything he’s done. But not just on the basketball floor, on the court when you guys are watching. In practice he’s a leader, he brings it every day and I’m very proud of him.”

Memphis SB Nation

Jamaaliver wrote:

Josh Jackson deserves a promotion

Jackson’s assignment hasn’t been like most players when they are assigned to the G-League. Typically, a player will be called up and down numerous times allowing them to practice and play with both the NBA squad and the G-League affiliate. Jackson, however, has essentially been a $7 million G-Leaguer. Jackson has spent his entire Grizzlies tenure with the Hustle. He didn’t participate in the Grizzlies training camp, nor was he a part of their media days.

Through 7 games Jackson has averaged 21 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.9 steals for the Hustle. Jackson has also been efficient scoring the ball, shooting 54.5% from beyond the arc, and 48.4% overall entering last night’s matchup. The numbers are there, but also expected, as the Grizzlies would have bigger problems if Jackson wasn’t dominating the G-League. He has been playing his ass off, which again, is something expected of a guy who is trying to revitalize his NBA career.

Where Josh has exceeded expectations, or at least my expectations, is how engaged he has been from day one. He seems to genuinely care about the Hustle, his teammates and their overall success, which isn’t something you always see from guys sent down on assignment. Josh could worry about getting his numbers and call it a day, but instead he takes initiative to help coach and instruct his teammates on the court. Josh has shown a maturity most have not seen of him professionally until this season.

Spoiler:

Code: Select all

“I couldn’t be more serious when I say what I’m about to say about him. I’m extremely proud of him. I think he has handled himself very well through this process. He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do. He’s playing as hard as anyone in this league right now. He should be given a lot of credit for what’s going on right now with our team. He’s been a leader in the locker room and I’ve been very happy with everything he’s done. But not just on the basketball floor, on the court when you guys are watching. In practice he’s a leader, he brings it every day and I’m very proud of him.”

Memphis SB Nation

Nice to see his questioned character get high marks.

The question about his game, I'm going to simplify the situation down to saying, Suns needed better spacing, Jackson shot under 30% from 3 with them having a post big & no lead playmaker.

Suns solution to their spacing problems was Bridges, Baynes, reaching on a shooter this past draft & signing a lead playmaking PG in Rubio. The off court issues & them wanting to take that next step into playoffs is what most likely made them cut bait on the 22yo's potential. It should be noted for those that say they dumped Jackson & he's no good, they also moved Warren to the Pacers for a salary dump in order to trim their roster. They had way to many wings & not enough minutes.. If Suns thought Jackson could shoot, we wouldn't be having this discussion.

So what I've seen & know of Jackson at the NBA level, the only stat that I'm really interested in from summer league, which should translate, is his 54% 3pt shooting on a considerable amount of attempts. I know, he's an athlete who can play in transition with Ja, I know that he's a good defender which Memphis could use, I know that he can & is a willing passer. What I don't know, is If he can shoot better than 30% with the big club, as he's shooting 54% currently with the Hustle. If he does translate that shooting improvement, At 22, he'll prove himself a keeper in Memphis. If they can retain him in FA without overpaying.

(Jaren/Clarke/Josh/Brooks/Ja). +top 6 pick

Josh being a nice surprise could open many new possibilities heading into the 2020 draft, if the former #4 can regain value at 22.

I think we will see Josh Jackson before too long. Hopefully he has his head straight so that he can be a long term part of the team even if he ultimately is just a bench guy. If not, we simply cut bait this summer and move on to other young players.

The expression "Diamonds in the rough" does exist for a reason. With JoJax on his journey to redemption, it's very possible that he could turn out to be the hidden investment the Grizzlies may be sitting on. From him being humbled by his time in G-League. His numbers being impressive all across the board and his new ability to take on a leadership role could be a great benefit to the Grizzlies in the long run.

Some of the local media guys were speculating that Memphis may be waiting for Josh's legal issues to be dealt with prior to bringing him up. Reports are that he has been a model teammate and his stats speak for themselves in regards to him having enough talent.

Just when I thought this kid had moved past his issues and deserved another chance...

Jamaaliver wrote:Just when I thought this kid had moved past his issues and deserved another chance...

Read on Twitter

Apparently he missed a team meeting so not good but could have been significantly worse.

VCfor3 wrote:

Jamaaliver wrote:Just when I thought this kid had moved past his issues and deserved another chance...

Read on Twitter

Apparently he missed a team meeting so not good but could have been significantly worse.

Josh has been doing solid for the team and himself. So let's hope this is a bump in the road and nothing more.