The Memphis Grizzlies are trading two-time All-Star and 2022-23 NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz in a blockbuster deal completed two days before Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. The move signals a clear rebuild for Memphis following last summer’s trade of shooting guard Desmond Bane to Orlando. The team could still move point guard Ja Morant before the deadline.
As part of the trade, Memphis will receive three future first-round picks: a 2027 first-rounder (the most favorable among picks from Cleveland, Minnesota, and Utah), the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2027 first-rounder (top-four protected), and an unprotected 2031 pick from the Phoenix Suns. The Grizzlies will also acquire rookie guard Walter Clayton Jr. and forwards Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, and Georges Niang. Utah, in return, will receive Jackson along with center Jock Landale and guards John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr.
Jackson, 26, has been a cornerstone for Memphis since being selected No. 4 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. Known as one of the league’s premier two-way forwards, he has averaged 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game over eight seasons while shooting 46.7% from the field and 35.1% from three. His defensive play is historic: Jackson is the only player in NBA history with more than 100 blocks and 100 three-pointers in four consecutive seasons and, since 2018, is one of only two players (alongside Anthony Davis) to exceed 800 blocks and 400 steals in that span.
Offensively, Jackson has developed a versatile game that combines perimeter shooting with a strong off-the-dribble attack, though his production has dipped slightly this season. He is averaging 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 45 games for a Grizzlies team (19-29) that sits just three games behind the Portland Trail Blazers (23-27) for the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference. The Jazz view Jackson as a perfect fit alongside forward Lauri Markkanen, guard Keyonte George, and center Walker Kessler, potentially forming a dominant frontcourt duo for the future.
