The Memphis Grizzlies made the shocking call to deal their Defensive Player of the Year to the Utah Jazz for a haul.
The Memphis Grizzlies have been at the epicenter of discussions surrounding the NBA trade deadline as they have notably shifted gears this season with a willingness to entertain franchise-altering deals for their superstars. Once they opened the door for offers on point guard Ja Morant, it was clear that the Grizzlies were willing to trade off their most valuable assets. However, it was their two-time All-Star and former Defensive Player of the Year who they saw as that asset. Memphis traded star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. and the trio of John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz in exchange for three future first rounders, Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, and Georges Niang.
Those draft picks include a coveted 2027 first rounder, the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick, and the Phoenix Suns’ 2031 first-round pick. It’s a blockbuster deal to land the 26-year-old star that offers two-way impact and, frankly, a lot more time on the court. Jackson is averaging 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds this season. Jackson spoke about shutting out the noise of trade rumors just one day prior on Feb. 2 after their win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, and seemed to be in communication with Memphis throughout the process.
Here is the full story from Grizzlies Roundtable writer Grant Afseth on the massive splash trade and what it signals for both franchises.
The Jazz pick up a cornerstone piece in Jackson, while the Grizzlies are clearly set on turning the page to a new era in Memphis with a focus on recouping young talent with multiple first-round draft picks.