With the NBA trade deadline less than 48 hours away, the Utah Jazz and Memphis Grizzlies struck a surprise blockbuster deal on Tuesday afternoon.
The trade centers around two-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. heading to Utah along with John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr., in exchange for a package that includes Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three future first-round picks.
ESPN insider Shams Charania was first to break the news on X (formerly Twitter).
Jackson Jr. has been productive again this season despite the Grizzlies’ struggles, averaging 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks across 45 games played. The 26-year-old notably renegotiated his contract to sign a five-year, $240 million extension with Memphis just this past summer, further adding to the shock of the trade.
The star forward now joins a young nucleus in Utah featuring Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Walker Kessler, Ace Bailey, and others. While it’s been far from a good season for the Jazz, they appear to have the makings of a team on the upswing in the Western Conference.
On the flip side, the Grizzlies continue to tear apart the team that won 56 games not that long ago. With Desmond Bane and now Jackson Jr. both sent out the door, serious questions are being raised about what could come next.
What Does Jaren Jackson Jr. Trade Mean for Ja Morant?
Trading Jackson Jr. confirms what many already suspected: the Grizzlies are rebuilding, and now all eyes turn to Ja Morant, who has appeared unhappy in Memphis for quite some time — a feeling that seems to be mutual within the organization
GM Zach Kleiman now has until Thursday at 3 p.m. ET to find a suitor for Morant, though there are no guarantees anything gets done between now and then. That said, Toronto, Miami, Minnesota, and Sacramento are among the teams most frequently mentioned in his sweepstakes, with several others capable of entering the mix.
Now that Bane, Jackson Jr., and potentially Morant are all gone, reports suggest the Grizzlies plan to build around youngsters Zach Edey and Cedric Coward. It’s remarkable how quickly things have changed for an organization that once appeared to have one of the brightest up-and-coming big threes in basketball.
Next: Artemi Panarin Trade Watch: Which NHL Teams Are in the Hunt?
