Both young cores seem to be similar, with a lead superstar guard, a 2-way guard/forward, and a floor-spacing rim protector. The Grizzlies’ core have had more playoff success (due to being around longer) and JJJ also already has a DPOY, but they’ve also got more potential concerns (namely Ja’s off-court behavior and some of JJJ’s struggles like rebounding)
Basing on projections it’s easier to say OKC. SGA is very very good already, Chet is obviously a hyper efficient big man with loads of potential on both sides and Jdub already looks like a stud. That’s not to mention Giddey, Dort, Joe and the other Williams’es plus like 300 picks in the next 5-10 years (I know that’s not the question but thunder is stacked and will be able to build around these guys very easily).
In saying that, progression is never linear, the NBA is unpredicatble and who knows how each of these players pans out. Jaren is younger than Ja and both are still a few years away from “prime”. Des is currently taking on 1st option responsibilities and although the team around him is mostly ass due to injuries and lack of depth, he has been very good so far and getting solid run that will only improve him for when he needs to revert back behind Ja. Ja, dumbassery aside, is an absolutely electric player who has shown that top 10 potential already and single handedly carried us to many a win.
I think Jaren probably has the highest ceiling of the Grizz 3, if he can reach it, same with Chet in OKC. The “right” answer is going to be OKC 9/10 times but obviously I am biased and will back my guys being the 1/10 to say Grizz. The real positive here for us fans is, with a bit of luck, we should hopefully see some must watch playoff series between these teams in the next decade.