Jaren Jackson Jr. Rumors | Hoops Rumors

Southwest Notes: Bledsoe, Louzada, Porzingis, Jackson Jr.

April 23rd, 2021 at 6:55pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Eric Bledsoe‘s season has gone from bad to worse, as Christian Clark of the New Orleans Times-Picayune details. Bledsoe admitted he “wasn’t paying attention” to Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy when the team was instructed to intentionally foul while up by three points against the Knicks in the closing seconds last Sunday. That led to a game-tying 3-pointer. He was benched for a good portion of the second half against Brooklyn on Tuesday, then saw action in 22 minutes against Orlando on Thursday.

Attempts to unload Bledsoe’s contract could prove troublesome for New Orleans. He’ll make a guaranteed $18.1MM next season, though his $19.375MM salary for 2022/23 is only partially guaranteed.

We have more from the Southwest Division:

Didi Louzada‘s contract with the Pelicans is expected to be a two-year deal and he’ll sign it sometime next week, Will Guillory of The Athletic tweets. Louzada, a second-round pick in 2019, most recently played in Australia with the Sydney Kings. The news that the swingman was signing with New Orleans broke on Sunday. He averaged 8.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 24.1 MPG in 20 contests with Sydney this season, shooting 39% from the field and 26% from behind the arc.
Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis left Thursday’s game against the Lakers with a sprained left ankle but it’s not believed to be serious, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. Porzingis, who was playing the second end of a back to back, rolled the ankle while pursuing a loose ball in the third quarter. He was walking in the locker room afterward.
Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. made his long-awaited season debut on Wednesday and looked sharp. He had 15 points, eight rebounds and four blocks in 18 minutes during a 12-point loss to the Clippers. He was relieved to finally play after rehabbing from knee surgery, ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk writes. “This is a big win,” he said. “It’s been a long stretch for me.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. Could Return On Wednesday

April 20th, 2021 at 9:56pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. could make his season debut on Wednesday. He’s been upgraded to questionable on the team’s injury report for its game against the Clippers, the team’s PR department tweets.

Jackson suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee during the summer and has spent the season rehabbing the injury after undergoing surgery in mid-August. He could provide a major boost to a team sitting in the No. 8 spot in the Western Conference.

Last season, Jackson averaged 17.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG and 1.6 BPG in 57 starts. The team exercised its option on his contract for next season prior to this season. He’ll make $9.18MM in 2021/22 and then head into a free agency, either restricted or unrestricted, in the summer of ’22 unless he signs a rookie scale extension prior to opening night next season.

In terms of this season, Jackson’s return could impact the playing time of Xavier Tillman, Brandon Clarke and Justise Winslow.

Jackson will be on a minutes restriction, according to Mark Giannotto of the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

“We’re not going to just throw (Jackson) into the fire and play a heavy load,” coach Taylor Jenkins said. “We’re going to be smart about his minutes and his integration, obviously trying to find the right combinations for him to be successful, for our team to be successful.”

Southwest Notes: Van Gundy, Redick, Jackson Jr., Rockets

April 2nd, 2021 at 3:29pm CST by JD Shaw

Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy has chimed in on the comments made by former New Orleans guard J.J. Redick, who was dealt to the Mavericks last week in a trade deadline day agreement.

Redick claims Pelicans executive VP of basketball operations David Griffin promised the team would move him to a situation he liked after he requested a trade last fall. As previously reported, the 36-year-old asked to play for a team in the Northeast with hopes of being closer to his family. New Orleans struggled to find a suitable package and traded him to Dallas instead.

“[J.J.] had some things that he wanted to happen. But I think Griff cared very much about what J.J. wanted, but he has a responsibility to Gayle Benson and to the organization that supersedes all of that,” Van Gundy said as part of a larger quote, as relayed by ESPN’s Andrew Lopez.

Van Gundy and Redick have a history dating back to Orlando from 2007-12. Regardless of what was communicated between Redick and the Pelicans, the sharpshooter’s focus has surely shifted to helping the Mavericks secure a postseason berth for the second straight season. Dallas currently holds the seventh-best record in the Western Conference at 25-21.

There’s more from the Southwest Division today:

Speaking of Redick, the 15-year veteran has yet to play for the Mavericks due to a right heel injury, as relayed by The Associated Press. No timetable has been set for his return. “My understanding is that things are going in a very good direction,” head coach Rick Carlisle said. “We obviously hope he can be back 100% sooner than later.” Redick underwent a non-surgical procedure over three weeks ago to relieve inflammation and soreness.
Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. expects to return from a torn meniscus this month, Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian tweets. Jackson suffered the injury last August and was ruled out for the remainder of the 2019/20 season. The 22-year-old averaged 17.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 28.5 minutes per game during the campaign, appearing in 57 contests.
Various players and staff from the Rockets recently received COVID-19 vaccines, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle notes. As we previously relayed, the NBA has relaxed its league-wide protocols and restrictions for those who receive the vaccine.

Kleiman: Jaren Jackson Jr. To Return In April

March 26th, 2021 at 3:55pm CST by Luke Adams

Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. is on track to return to action before the end of April, the team’s executive VP of basketball operations Zach Kleiman said on Friday, per Drew Hill of The Daily Memphian.

Jackson has yet to play at all for Memphis this season as he recovers from undergoing surgery to repair a torn left meniscus. As Kleiman explained today, the Grizzlies knew the third-year forward would be sidelined for a significant period when they decided to fully repair his meniscus tear rather than opting for a quicker fix.

“When Jaren first tore his meniscus there are kind of two routes you can take,” Kleiman said, according to Hill. “You can either do what’s called a meniscectomy, where you shave down or trim the meniscus, and you can be back in a couple of months. But at that point you lose the protective function of the meniscus. It leads to swelling and soreness and recurring knee issues over time.

“What we did with Jaren, with his long-term health in mind and everyone on the same page of taking the long view, was to repair his meniscus. The surgeon went in and was thankfully able to repair 100% of his meniscus. But, a full repair of a meniscus often times takes up to eight months or nine months.”

As Jackson inches closer to his return, another power forward’s days in Memphis appear to be numbered. Asked today about Gorgui Dieng, who is viewed as a possible buyout candidate, Kleiman didn’t explicitly confirm that the Grizzlies will move onto him, but didn’t say the 31-year-old will finish the season with the team either.

“More to come on Gorgui,” Kleiman said. “There will be more updates there.”

Southwest Notes: Wood, Aldridge, Jackson, Hinton, Pels

March 11th, 2021 at 2:28pm CST by Luke Adams

There was some optimism that Rockets center Christian Wood, who has missed the team’s last 13 games due to a right ankle injury, might be able to return to start the second half, but it appears he’ll need a little more time to get back on the court.

Wood has been listed as out for the Rockets’ Thursday game in Sacramento, after ESPN’s Tim MacMahon first reported (via Twitter) that he was expected to miss the game. Wood has resumed basketball activities, per MacMahon, so his absence shouldn’t last much longer.

The odds of the Rockets making a run at a play-in spot are long, but if they want to have a chance, they’ll need Wood back in action — they’ve lost all 13 games he has missed.

Here’s more from around the Southwest:

The impending divorce between LaMarcus Aldridge and the Spurs has been a long time coming, according to Mike Finger of The San Antonio Express-News, who suggests the team was starting to move on from the veteran big man last summer, when it made a push for a playoff spot without him. As the Spurs have adopted a new offensive approach, they’ve played better this season with Aldridge off the court (+2.5 net rating) than on it (-5.6 rating).
Grizzlies power forward Jaren Jackson Jr., who has yet to play at all this season due to a knee injury, will be out for a while longer. A source tells Evan Barnes of The Memphis Commercial Appeal that Jackson is continuing to ramp up his basketball activities and will be back this season, but his status won’t be updated until later this month or early next month.
With the NBA G League season about to end, more young players are being recalled to their NBA clubs. The Mavericks have transferred two-way guard Nate Hinton back to the NBA from the Santa Cruz Warriors (Twitter link), while the Pelicans brought back Wenyen Gabriel, Naji Marshall, and Will Magnay from the Erie BayHawks (press release).

Southwest Notes: Green, Tate, Rockets, Grizzlies

February 17th, 2021 at 10:05pm CST by Alex Kirschenbaum

The Mavericks announced today (via Twitter) that they are sending rookie shooting guard Josh Green to join the Salt Lake City Stars, the G League affiliate of the Jazz, in the NBAGL’s ongoing Orlando “bubble” campus.

Dallas’s own G League affiliate, the Texas Legends, is not participating in this year’s G League season. Green started in five games for the Mavericks earlier this season, but has been riding the bench recently. He is averaging 12.5 MPG across 17 contests.

There’s more out of the Southwest:

Rookie Rockets forward Jae’Sean Tate has proven to be Houston’s iron man this season, the only player to suit up for every game after P.J. Tucker sat with a bruised thigh, per Jonathan Feigen of The Houston Chronicle. Tate has been an important element of the Rockets’ frontcourt given the recent injuries to Christian Wood, Tucker, and Ray Spalding.
Long-injured young Grizzlies players Jaren Jackson Jr. and Justise Winslow have joined their teammates in portions of practice, according to Evan Barnes of the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Jackson is recovering from a torn left meniscus and Winslow is working his way back from a left hip displacement.
Despite severe winter weather in Texas, the Rockets still intend to return to Houston ahead of their scheduled contests on Friday (against the Mavericks) and Saturday (against the Pacers), according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. There is a chance these games are ultimately postponed as a result of continuing water and power trouble in Texas, Feigen notes. “If playing basketball games makes sense we will,” head coach Stephen Silas said about the situation. “If it doesn’t, Houstonians are most important and the thing that we should all be thinking about as we go home.”

Southwest Notes: Winslow, JJJ, Aldridge, DeRozan, Rockets

February 1st, 2021 at 12:20pm CST by Luke Adams

Justise Winslow, who has yet to appear in a game for the Grizzlies since being acquired nearly a year ago at the 2020 trade deadline, hopes to return to the court later this month, he said on Monday. As Evan Barnes of The Memphis Commercial Appeal writes, Memphis’ lengthy hiatus due to contact tracing in January set Winslow back slightly due to a lack of practice opportunities, but he’s getting close.

“I’m feeling great, my hip feels great. I’m really close to getting back on the court, hopefully sometime this month,” the Grizzlies forward said. “I really don’t have an exact day in mind. Just with COVID and how our team had to miss almost a week of practice and that sort of thing, that set me back, just without being able to have proper access to workouts and things like that.”

Meanwhile, Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. will have his rehab process ramped up in the coming weeks as he looks to return from meniscus surgery, as Chris Herrington of The Daily Memphian reports (via Twitter). Herrington doesn’t anticipate Jackson will return to action before the first half ends on March 4, but there’s no set timeline yet for the 21-year-old’s season debut (Twitter link).

Here’s more from around the Southwest:

People around the NBA are curious to see what the Spurs will do with veterans LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan, who are both on expiring contracts, writes Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer. Aldridge’s value is “declining quickly,” according to O’Connor, who believes that DeRozan might be the best player on the trade market if San Antonio were to make him available.
Within the same story, O’Connor notes that some executives around the NBA are wondering if the Rockets could end up being a buyer – rather than a seller – at the trade deadline. O’Connor expects teams to call about Victor Oladipo and P.J. Tucker, who will both be free agents this summer, but suggests Houston shouldn’t feel any pressure to make a deal. The club could entertain any favorable opportunities that arise, whether that means buying or selling, O’Connor adds.
The Rockets got back to .500 on Saturday night by winning their fifth consecutive game, prompting head coach Stephen Silas to express that his club is “moving in the right direction for sure.” Kelly Iko of The Athletic has the story on Houston’s recent hot streak, as well as Oladipo’s comfort level, Christian Wood‘s All-Star case, and the team’s strong depth.

Southwest Notes: Griffin, Ball, Jackson Jr., Winslow, Doncic

January 29th, 2021 at 3:51pm CST by JD Shaw

Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin discussed the trade rumors surrounding his team, explaining in an appearance on ESPN Radio how he addresses them with players.

New Orleans has opened the season with a disappointing 6-10 record, prompting multiple teams to reportedly inquire on the availability of Lonzo Ball and J.J. Redick.

“The truth is when you’re 6-10 and struggling to finish off games and disappointed in your results, teams are going to recognize that and they are going to show interest in the players they covet,” Griffin said as part of a larger quote, as relayed by ESPN’s Andrew Lopez (Twitter link).

In addition to Ball and Redick, New Orleans could also receive interest on veteran point guard Eric Bledsoe in the coming weeks. The NBA’s trade deadline falls on March 25 this season.

Here are some other notes from the Southwest Division:

Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype examines five potential trade destinations for Ball, listing teams such as the Knicks and Clippers as possible suitors if the Pelicans choose to move him. Ball has appeared in 13 games this season, averaging 11.8 points on 39% shooting from the floor and 30% shooting from deep.
It remains unclear when Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. and forward Justise Winslow will return, Evan Barnes of the Memphis Commerical Appeal writes. No specific timetables have been issued on Jackson, who is recovering from a torn meniscus, or Winslow, who is rehabbing a hip injury. “I think from a plan and rehab and recovery and return to play standpoint, everyone’s been doing a great job,” head coach Taylor Jenkins said. “We’ve got a lot of confidence that these guys will be back soon and be in a great spot health-wise, too.”
Tim MacMahon of ESPN explores the rise of the Mavericks‘ Luka Doncic, one that happened sooner than most people expected. Doncic has cemented himself as a superstar at the young age of 21, averaging 27.4 points, 9.4 rebounds and 9.7 assists in 17 games this season.

Southwest Notes: Alexander-Walker, Harden, Porzingis, Jackson

January 15th, 2021 at 7:34pm CST by Dana Gauruder

Continued improvement and consistency from Nickeil Alexander-Walker could make it more feasible for the Pelicans to move Lonzo Ball down the road, Scott Kushner of the New Orleans Times-Picayune writes. Alexander-Walker, a first-round pick in 2019, erupted for a career-high 37 points against the Clippers on Wednesday.

“The big measure for young guys is not what happens when everything is rolling your way,” Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy said. “It’s what happens when you’re having a frustrating night.”

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The Rockets defeated the Spurs in their first game since the James Harden trade and rookie forward Jae’Sean Tate said the team was determined to put up a unified front, according to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. Houston also played without the most prominent player it acquired, Victor Oladipo, as well as injured guards John Wall and Eric Gordon. “There’s a lot of guys — on the team and coaching staff and the GM — everybody has so much to prove,” Tate said.
Kristaps Porzingis‘ season debut reinforced the feeling that he may be best suited at power forward, Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News writes. Porzingis often played center last season when Dwight Powell injured his Achilles. The Mavericks are unbeaten this season since Willie Cauley-Stein became the starter at center. The Mavs are likely to keep Porzingis at power forward for the time being, Townsend adds.
Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. vows that he’ll return to action this season, as he told Marc Spears of The Undefeated. He suffered a meniscus tear in his left knee in August. “I’ll be back this [season]. Who knows when, but it won’t be too long,” he said.

Grizzlies Exercise Options On Four Players

December 16th, 2020 at 7:46pm CST by Arthur Hill

The Grizzlies have exercised contract options for the 2021/22 season on Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke and Grayson Allen, the team announced in a press release (via Twitter).

Morant, the second pick in the 2019 draft, had an outstanding first season, capturing Rookie of the Year honors and helping the Grizzlies reach the playoffs. He averaged 17.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 67 games. Morant is part of the foundation for the future in Memphis, along with Jackson, the fourth overall pick in 2018, who averaged 17.4 points and 1.6 blocks per game last season.

Clarke set a rookie record in 2019/20 by shooting 61.8% from the floor. He posted a 12.1/5.9/1.4 line in 58 games, earning a spot on the All-Rookie team and finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting. Allen, who was acquired from the Jazz last summer, averaged 8.7 PPG in 38 games in his first season with the Grizzlies.

Morant’s third-year option for ’21/22 will be worth $9.6MM, while Clarke’s has a value of $2.7MM. The fourth-year options for Jackson and Allen will pay them $9.2MM and $4.1MM, respectively.