GG Jackson shines as Summer Grizzlies fall in Utah to the Jazz

The Memphis Grizzlies Summer League team lost in their Salt Lake City finale to the host Utah Jazz 98-83. No disrespect to the players that competed for Memphis in this contest, but the result is far from surprising. The only potential Grizzlies player that actually logged minutes in this game was GG Jackson – who did not disappoint in a situation where he was the best player on the floor for Memphis.

But read that back – the 18-year-old 45th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft was the best Grizzlies hooper in this contest in the second night of a back to back where the likes of Jake LaRavia, David Roddy, Kenneth Lofton Jr., and others did not log minutes.

So again, the end result is not surprising. But there are important takeaways nonetheless.

GG Jackson is looking good early

It’s important to not overreact to Summer League. The ghost of Josh Selby still looms large in this writer’s mind. But one thing that does matter is how a player takes to the schemes and systems of the Grizzlies, or any NBA franchise, and if the game seems too fast for them at this stage of their development.

It does not seem that way for GG Jackson.

Jackson can get his own shot relatively simply at this level, in all three phases of scoring the basketball – at the rim, in the midrange, and from beyond the arc. There are plenty of other areas where the young former Gamecock of South Carolina needs to grow, and he will get his opportunity to do so through a development year with the Memphis Hustle. But for a Grizzlies team that has issues scoring in the half court, that appears to be an area of strength early in Jackson’s run with Memphis.

Jackson was asked to be too much at South Carolina. That won’t be an issue in Memphis, as while Jackson will be put in spots to be successful it will be as part of the overall Grizzlies “standard”. The sooner he finds his flow within that system, the sooner he will take off. The talent is clearly there, and three Summer League games in to his Grizzlies tenure he looks like the latest Memphis heist in the NBA Draft.

A trade to discuss!

While this game that was not too meaningful for Memphis given all the guys sitting was going on, Grizzlies General manager Zach Kleiman was showing his attention was elsewhere as well.

The acquisition of Isaiah Todd puts the Grizzlies roster at 17 at this stage of the offseason – which doesn’t matter as long as Memphis is at 15 by the start of the season. Todd is a 21-year-old big who may or may not be an NBA player, but his acquisition pales in importance with those pick swaps. Phoenix sent out SIX second round picks as part of the Bradley Beal trade, and they needed to try to replenish their war chest of cheap assistance through the draft process.

Enter Memphis, who now has the right to choose the lesser of the Phoenix and Washington Wizards 1st round picks in both 2024 and 2030. That may sound insignificant now – but considering how the Suns are very much “all-in” in the here and now, what Phoenix looks like seven years from now is anyone’s guess.

The Grizzlies give up relatively little to get that swap option – 2nd rounders matter, but with Memphis’ current roster situation it was unlikely those picks would be used for actual selections to the active roster. Moving up in any given draft, however, could be important. And Kleiman now has increased 1st round flexibility in case the Grizzlies want to make a roster move that may be more substantial.

Something to keep an eye on – perhaps the Memphis player movement isn’t done just yet. But even if it is, there’s opportunity for sneaky value in those swaps that is worth the risk of lost 2nd round selections.

The 2023 Summer League Grizzlies make their Las Vegas debut on Saturday, July 8th at 6 PM CT against the Chicago Bulls. The game will be on NBATV.