"The Memphis Grizzlies are facing the prospects of a retooling amidst a 17-22 start that has them sitting in 10th place in the Western Conference. With it has come trade speculation involving star point guard Ja Morant and, more importantly for the New York Knicks, power forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr. In a season that carries championship expectations, the Knicks are not quite looking like bona fide title contenders."
"Their defensive rating of 115.8 ranks 18th in the NBA, and they have allowed the third-most three-pointers in the league this season. Jackson would bolster those numbers, even if his defensive rating of 112.6 is just below league average. He is a three-time NBA All-Defensive selection and the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year. This season, he is holding players that he defends to a 41.1% field goal percentage, including a 30.6% mark from three-point range (1.9 out of 6.3 attempts made per game)."
"Couple that with an offensive game that is averaging 18.5 points per night, and it is a legitimate upgrade to what many consider to be the Knicks' Achilles heel in All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns, whose defense was especially an issue during their Eastern Conference Final loss to the Indiana Pacers. The Knicks have been infatuated with Jackson for some time, and he would bolster a roster that already has solid defensive pieces in OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges."
Memphis sits 17-22 and tenth in the Western Conference, prompting retooling and trade speculation around Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. The Knicks are 3.5 games behind Detroit and carry a 115.8 defensive rating, ranking 18th while allowing the third-most three-pointers. Jackson posts a 112.6 defensive rating, is a three-time All-Defensive selection and 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, and limits opponents to 41.1% shooting and 30.6% from three (1.9 of 6.3). He averages 18.5 points per game and would upgrade interior defense and perimeter protection next to OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges. Jackson remains under contract for four more years.
Read at www.amny.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]