The first big splash of NBA trade deadline week has occurred with Danny Ainge surprising the basketball world by nabbing one of the most prized names on the market. Shams Charania of ESPN.com reports that Ainge and the Jazz are acquiring Grizzlies star Jaren Jackson Jr. in a blockbuster eight-player deal.
Utah also lands wings John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr. and center Jock Landale in the swap in exchange for guard Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks.
According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the first-round picks include a 2027 selection, the Lakers 2027 first-round pick, and the 2031 Suns first-round pick.
The move is a stunner considering the Jazz currently hold a 15-35 record, which is the sixth-worst mark in the NBA. However, basketball CEO Danny Ainge and president of basketball operations Austin Ainge are clearly trying to start building a stronger foundation for the future with the acquisition. Jackson Jr. joins Lauri Markkanen in Utah now to create one of the best forward duos in the Western Conference, and both are under team control now for the next four seasons. The Jazz have little incentive to improve immediately with a top-8 protected pick owed to the Thunder, but it’s evident they are intent on cashing in on years of draft assets acquired under Ainge’s leadership in a lengthy rebuild. Utah suddenly looks like a team that will be looking to compete hard in the Western Conference as soon as next season.
The move by the Grizzlies suggests they are now a squad that is taking a step back. Ja Morant has been linked to trade rumors for weeks now, but Jackson Jr. was the team’s other cornerstone player. He’s averaging 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds this year, but injuries and chemistry issues have kept Memphis as a sub-.500 team. The Grizzlies get a promising young guard in the deal in Clayton Jr. but the bigger trade assets are the three future first-round picks.
Memphis remains now a team to keep an eye on for Boston and other playoff teams around the NBA as they are clearly open for business after trading away their best player for a meager on-court return. Santi Aldama is one stretch big who could interest Boston in that mold.
Ainge and the Jazz are expected to remain active on the trade market after Tuesday’s blockbuster before Thursday’s deadline at 3 p.m. ET.