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With back-to-back stellar performances, the rookie forward, GG Jackson has caught the eye of many fantasy owners. Jackson is a stretch-forward out of South Carolina, who fell to the 2nd round (Pick 44) last summer in the 2023 draft. Before Jackson's recent burst, the 6’9 19-year-old forward had been playing in the G League, where he averaged 19 points, 7.8 rebounds, and just under two threes a game in his six-game stint. Grizzlies have shown a knack over recent years of picking late-round gems such as Desmond Bane, who was selected 30th in the 2020 draft.
Jackson's Hot Run
On Monday, Jackson was shown big minutes for the second game in a row, putting up stellar numbers against the Golden State Warriors. Jackson had 23 points, 6 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks while hitting five for eight from three on 66% shooting. This performance followed up Jackson's Saturday night game against the Knicks, where he put in 20 points, 6 boards, two blocks, and 2 threes on 64% shooting. Coming off the bench, Jackson found his way into the closing lineup for the Grizzlies Monday night, playing in the game’s final 17 minutes, which shows the support head coach Taylor Jenkins has in the young rookie.
GG JACKSON. GET USED TO HEARING HIS NAME. ??? pic.twitter.com/39tAGRvQ1u
While this only being a limited sample size, the opportunity for Jackson will be there for the remainder of the season now that the Grizzlies have been ravished by injuries. The team has seen season-ending injuries by star point guard Ja Morant and center Steven Adams earlier before the season. Also, guard Desmond Bane will be sidelined until mid-March with his left ankle injury. Memphis’ chances of making the playoffs are officially shut, and the likelihood of a player like Jaren Jackson playing at the end of the season is becoming more and more doubtful as the year goes on.
Jackson joins players like Vince Williams and Jacob Gilyard, who Memphis will be looking to develop for next season’s run. If Jackson can move into the starting lineup by the end of the year and play 30-35 minutes a game, I can easily see him becoming a top 80 fantasy player to close out the season. Jackson is a forward with good size and a nice shooting touch and has been adding more value with his defensive stats.
Jackson could also be a flash in the pan because of the small sample size and extremely hot shooting, but it’s better to be early to the punch when it comes to picking up potential gems than regret it later on watching him put up numbers for someone else. I wouldn’t drop a star player as of yet for Jackson, but the upside and opportunity is there to be a major player during fantasy playoffs.
Playoff Strategy
If your fantasy playoffs begin March 4th, Jackson and the Grizzlies have a 4/3/3/3 games split for the 4-week spread. Playoffs beginning March 11th will be a 3/3/3/4 split, and if your season ends concurrent with the NBA season, Memphis will be playing a 3/3/4/4 split. GG “not to be confused with Jaren” Jackson could be a huge lottery hit if his play continues.
