There’s a lot to like about the Memphis Grizzlies this season. For one, they’re a scrappy bunch led by one of the league’s rising stars in Ja Morant. This team clearly exhibits flashes of the old Grit and Grind era, which is very evident when they play on both ends of the court. The scary thing about them, though, is Memphis just played the first 56 games without one of its best players: Jaren Jackson Jr.

Much to the delight of Grizzlies fans, Jackson returned Wednesday night after spending eight months recovering from a torn meniscus in his left knee. Although JJJ’s return was spoiled by a 117-105 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, fans have more than enough reason to be excited about the big man’s stock, especially when it comes to the card market. We take a look below why Jackson’s cards are a must-have after his first game this season.

1. Jackson fits the Unicorn mold perfectly

The idea of having a big man who can score from the perimeter at a high volume and credibly protect the rim on the other end can mean the difference between winning and losing in the NBA. Few names fit that description in the league, and Jaren Jackson Jr. is one of the chosen few.

Jackson’s offensive skill set is the stuff most teams would love to have in their arsenal. Throughout his three-year career, the big man is shooting 48.4% from the field, 76.1% from the line, and connects on 38.3% of his 4.4 attempts per game from downtown.

Jackson is no slouch either when it comes to defense. In the 116 total games he has played in the NBA, JJJ boasts a career 108 defensive rating, which is better than the league average of 111.8 last season. He also averages 1.5 blocks per game, making him a terrifying player to face at the rim.

Both of these offensive and defensive attributes were briefly glimpsed in his first game back against the Clippers. In that contest, Jackson posted an efficient showing of 15 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks in almost 18 minutes on the court. While he did get five fouls, an issue that the center has long struggled with, Jackson’s first game shows he has what it takes to fully deserve the Unicorn moniker. With just 15 games remaining in the regular season, JJJ has more than enough time to go lights out on the competition.

2. Jackson completes the Grizzlies’ offense

Jaren Jackson Jr.'s first game with Memphis this year is too small of a sample, but the potential is unbelievable. The Grizzlies have Desmond Bane, De’Anthony Melton, and Grayson Allen, players who are successfully hitting over 40% of their shots from the arc. 

Add Jackson to the mix and you’ve got an offense that perfectly spaces the floor for Morant, who is hitting a tick over 50% of his shots from 2-point range this year. Thanks to a defense stretched out, the explosive point guard can attack the rim, go for an easy bucket inside the arc, or pass the ball for a wide-open triple. 

While this kind of offense remains to be seen, Jackson’s mere presence alone will open up a lot of opportunities for the Grizzlies to score the ball. They currently possess a 112.2 offensive rating, placing them 15th among 30 teams in the league. The addition of Jackson’s offensive prowess as a big man will surely help raise Memphis’ offensive ceiling for the duration of the regular season.

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3. The Grizzlies have a solid chance to make the playoffs

Jaren Jackson Jr.'s return to the lineup could not come at a better time. As of now, the Grizzlies are in eighth place with a 29-28 record, with the Dallas Mavericks ahead and the Golden State Warriors right behind them. The San Antonio Spurs are right there as well. 

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With Jackson manning either the power forward or center spot, Memphis’ chance of gaining more ground in the standings becomes stronger. As long as they don’t fall down past 10th place, the Grizzlies can come together at the right time with all cylinders firing in unison to lock the last playoff spot. If this happens, Jackson’s stock will experience an upward spike that can be profited from.

As of this writing, Jackson’s PSA 10 Prizm rookie card is valued at $160. If he manages to string together a series of good games, collectors can expect that price to shoot up right before the play-in tournament. Of course, be wary, because his prices will plunge hard if the Grizzlies fail to make the playoffs. On the other hand, all bets are off if they do nab a spot. In any case, keep an eye for those good deals on Jaren Jackson Jr. rookie cards so you can stay one step ahead of the competition.