The Grizzlies have gotten off to a rough start this season and star Ja Morant has already been suspended for conduct detrimental to the team. After already trading away Desmond Band in the off-season, the Grizzlies might be looking to move towards a full rebuild and let go of their other star caliber players. One name of particular interest for the Pistons is Michigan State alum Jaren Jackson Jr, whose defense and shooting would fit right in to the Pistons lineup.
Jaren Jackson Jr can be a great addition to the Pistons
Jackson is one of the most prolific 3-and-D power forwards in the entire NBA. He would fill a position of need for the Pistons and add some much-needed shooting to the starting lineup without taking away from their defensive strengths. Arguably Jackson’s biggest weakness is his rebounding for his position and size, but the emergence of Jalen Duren as an All-Star level player makes up for that.
Importantly, Jackson has also stayed relatively healthy throughout his career. He's played at least 63 games in each of the last four seasons, even as the Grizzlies have struggled with injuries overall. The Pistons have dealt with their fair share of injuries this season, but Jackson can provide a stable presence in the lineup.
The Pistons’ success this season has been built on the strengths of their physically imposing front line. They have incredible depth at the center position even going down to third stringer Paul Reed. Jackson’s real appeal to the Pistons would be pairing him up with guys like Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart to create a nightmare defensive duo while maintaining offensive flexibility.
With such lineups, the Pistons could effectively shut down the paint entirely for opposing teams. That formula has already shown great results this season when Isaiah Stewart and Jalen Duren have shared the floor, but Jackson is an even more natural fit at the four position. He's a more skilled shooter, dribbler and passer than Stewart, which will help the offensive flow.
Cade Cunningham certainly wouldn’t mind having Jackson as a floor spacer during pick-and-rolls with Jalen Duren or being able to operate in Horns action with screens from both of them. It’s also easy to envision Jackson and Duren in a high-low action as both of them are surprisingly adept passers for their size.
Unfortunately, Jackson does share one of the Pistons biggest weaknesses, which is foul trouble. He’s been known to foul early and often throughout his career, but the Pistons have shown that they can win games even with this issue from their big men. If they can acquire Jackson for some combination of Tobias Harris, a young player plus draft capital, he can elevate them into title contention right away.