The Dallas Mavericks just got unexpected help in their efforts to find a co-star for Cooper Flagg due to a shocking trade within the Western Conference.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Memphis Grizzlies shocked the NBA world by trading Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz. The Grizzlies are fully embracing a full rebuild without Jackson Jr. and likely Ja Morant, while the Jazz added a piece that can help them win sooner rather than later.
The Jazz have missed the playoffs for the last three seasons, winning just 85 games during this time, and the addition of Jackson Jr. has the potential to change everything for them over the next few years. While the Mavericks weren't involved in this trade, Utah and Memphis striking up this deal could benefit them massively over the final two months of the season, if the Jazz improve dramatically.
Dallas desperately needs to land a co-star for Cooper Flagg in the 2026 NBA Draft, and with the Jazz adding Jackson Jr., they have the potential to turn their season around and stack up some unexpected wins. This, of course, depends on what direction the Mavericks take, but all signs are pointing to them focusing on a Flagg-led future rather than trying to win right now.
The Jaren Jackson Jr. trade hides a silver lining for Dallas
Dallas could end up selling off pieces over the next few days, including Anthony Davis, and this would help improve their lottery odds. The Mavericks should prioritize securing the best lottery odds that they possibly can, and while they can only control what they can control, the Jazz winning some games down the stretch and passing Dallas in the standings is definitely in the cards.
The Mavericks currently have the eighth-best odds to secure the No. 1 pick, and they are only 5.5 games ahead of the fourth-worst team in the NBA, the Brooklyn Nets. Fully committing to a rebuild and shutting down Davis and Kyrie Irving could be the best path forward for Dallas, and the Jazz rising while the Mavs falling would be a dream come true.
Dallas already has their building block of the future in Flagg, and finding his sidekick in this summer's NBA Draft is the next step for them to turn from one of the bottom teams in the West to a contender.
Utah is currently 15-35 on the year, just 4.5 games behind the Mavericks, and the Jazz could easily pass Dallas in the standings if Jackson Jr. dramatically transforms their league-worst defense into a respectable unit.
The Jazz are allowing 122.1 points per 100 possessions, which ranks worst in the NBA and over two points more than any other team. Jackson Jr.'s defensive impact is among the best in the NBA, even winning Defensive Player of the Year in 2023.
Pairing him with Lauri Markkanen and eventually Walker Kessler (he's out for the season with a torn labrum) could turn them into one of the strongest frontcourts in the Western Conference, and they could look like a completely different team before we know it.
On top of their improved frontcourt, Utah also has the sixth-easiest remaining schedule in the NBA, while the Mavericks have the fourth-hardest schedule. The Jazz still have two games against Washington, two games against Sacramento, three games against New Orleans, and two games against Memphis, and they could find themselves passing a few teams in the standings if they finish strong.
This all depends on how Jackson Jr. fits next to Markkanen, Keyonte George, and Ace Bailey, and Mavs fans will be watching from the sidelines to see if the Jazz rise up the standings or remain one of the worst teams in the West.
The Mavericks' trade deadline moves could also potentially help improve their chances of landing a favorable lottery pick, and fans are going to be eyeing these standings every day for the rest of the season. Dallas' direction should be overwhelmingly clear once the trade deadline passes, and any bottom-feeder making a win-now move is great news for them.