Jaren Jackson

Jackson is coming off a breakout season, where he won Defensive Player of the Year, was a first-time All-Star selection, was a second consecutive NBA All-Defensive First Team selection and finished his second successive season as the NBA blocks leader. Jackson has improved his blocks-per-game average each year (aside from 1.6 per game in 2019-20 and 2020-21), culminating with a career-high 3.0 blocks per game last season. He also averaged career-highs of 18.6 points and 6.8 rebounds while improving his ability to get to the foul line, with a career-high 4.9 free-throw attempts per game, despite averaging fewer field-goal attempts than the previous season. Finally, he tied his career-high 50.6 percent shooting from the field, which was initially set in his rookie season. Jackson played 63 games in 2022-23 after missing nearly the first month of action due to rehabbing from surgery on a stress fracture in his foot during the preceding offseason. Nonetheless, he returned with a bang. Looking ahead, Jackson should continue to thrive as one of the league's best rim protectors and a multi-dimensional offensive threat. Notably, the Grizzlies will face a period of adjustment to start the season, with Ja Morant (suspension) sidelined for 25 games, while they also parted ways with long-time backup point guard Tyus Jones. As a result, newly acquired Marcus Smart is expected to begin the season as the team's starting point guard. It's possible that results in more shots for Jackson early in the year.