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Atlanta Hawks: One Potential Free Agency Signing From Memphis

By Dallin Duffy

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 21: Josh Jackson #20 of the Memphis Grizzlies walks out after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 21, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 117-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 21: Josh Jackson #20 of the Memphis Grizzlies walks out after the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Staples Center on February 21, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The Lakers won 117-105. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /
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Finding one player from the Memphis Grizzlies the Atlanta Hawks could sign this off-season.

Let’s continue our series of finding one player from every team the Atlanta Hawks could sign this off-season. We’re now on the Memphis Grizzlies, who’ll be fighting for a playoff spot when play resumes next week.

Restricted free agent De’Anthony Melton has been connected to the Hawks by more than a few people, and the fit does make sense. But since I wrote about Melton’s fit in Atlanta not too long ago, let’s take a look at another young player who could make sense with the Hawks.

That would be Josh Jackson, the former fourth overall pick had well-documented struggles during his first stint with the Suns, causing the team to dump him to Memphis (along with Melton) for little return.

After finally looking like the star he was at Kansas in the G-League, the Grizzlies called him up in January and saw some of that success follow. In 18 games in the NBA, Jackson averaged 10.4 points per game on 43 percent shooting.

His offense was more consistent than it was in Phoenix, but his defensive game was completely rehauled. He was a true negative on D in the desert but turned that around to be one of the Grizzlies’ best defenders.

According to 538’s defensive RAPTOR metric, Jackson was the second-best defender on the team, and he posted a positive defensive plus/minus for the first time in his career.

Add in his age (23) and athletic versatility to his two-way play, and you can see why the Hawks, among other teams, would be interested in him.

Since Memphis denied his fourth-year option back in October, he’ll be a very young unrestricted free agent, and it’s easy to see a world in which he gets a solid chunk of change across a four-year deal.

The Hawks, who still need defensive help at the forward spot could certainly use him as a bench piece, not unlike the way Memphis utilized him.

Next. The Best and worst uniforms in Atlanta Hawks history. dark

Should the Atlanta Hawks sign Josh Jackson?