SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Jazz became major players ahead of the NBA trade deadline, acquiring two-time All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies.
Utah landed the defensive standout by sending Memphis a mix of expiring contracts, young players, and future first-round picks.
Related: Jazz Acquire Jaren Jackson Jr. In Blockbuster Deal
Why did the Jazz trade for Jaren Jackson Jr.?
Defense
By trading for Jackson Jr., the Jazz add one of the NBA’s top rim protectors and a defensive anchor who helped Memphis field one of the league’s better units during his tenure.
Since Memphis drafted him fourth overall in 2018, the Grizzlies have averaged the league’s ninth‑best defense, including ranking third in 2022-23.
The trade is now official.
A little surprised they didn’t wait until Thursday to see if other teams wanted to expand the deal, but a monumental day for the @utahjazz. #TakeNote pic.twitter.com/1LGxXqwYuC
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 4, 2026
Meanwhile, the Jazz have finished with the NBA’s worst defense in each of the last two seasons and are on track to do so again in 2026.
Jackson Jr. brings instant defensive credibility and provides a foundational piece as the team moves out of its rebuild. Beyond his shot blocking, the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year excels at erasing passing lanes near the rim and averages 1.0 steals per game for his career.
Offense
Although the Jazz have missed Walker Kessler’s defense this year, they have benefited from the floor spacing Jusuf Nurkic provides. Jackson Jr. offers similar spacing as a three‑point threat, keeping driving lanes open for Keyonte George and Lauri Markkanen, both of whom are having career seasons under coach Will Hardy.
Jackson Jr. is a career 35 percent three‑point shooter on nearly five attempts per game, ensuring continued spacing even if Nurkic is not on the roster next season.
While the New Jersey native brings more than shooting—occasional isolation drives, above‑the‑rim finishes, and pick‑and‑roll play—his offensive role in Utah may be more streamlined.
Frontcourt burdens eased
One of the most interesting elements of the trade is how Jackson Jr. should lighten the load on his new frontcourt teammates.
Kessler is an elite rim protector but has been forced to shoulder too much of the defensive burden since joining the Jazz in 2022.
ARE YOU SERIOUS, WALKER KESSLER ⁉️
Triple… Block… Touchdown. pic.twitter.com/SGEY5W2OJj
— NBA (@NBA) October 17, 2025
With Jackson Jr. beside him, he no longer has to serve as the team’s lone deterrent at the rim, giving Utah one of the league’s top shot‑blocking duos.
Markkanen should also benefit from Jackson Jr.’s spacing, as defenses must respect two oversized shooters on the perimeter. Neither has played alongside a similarly sized three‑point threat, and the tandem should be able to trade off exploiting mismatches against smaller defenders.
Where does Jaren Jackson Jr. struggle?
Despite adding a legitimate two‑time All-Star, the Jazz are not getting a perfect player.
For his 6-foot-10, 250‑pound frame, the Michigan State product is a surprisingly poor rebounder. Jackson Jr. averages just 5.6 rebounds for his career, putting extra pressure on teammates to compensate.
He has also been foul‑prone throughout his career, often limiting his own impact. Jackson Jr. has fouled out of four games this season and has picked up five fouls in 10 of his other 43 appearances.
Will the Jazz lose their 2026 first-round pick?
Though the trade was made official on Tuesday afternoon, fans may not get a complete picture of his impact on the Jazz this season.
With only 32 games remaining—and the Jazz hoping to retain their top‑eight‑protected first‑round pick in June—Utah is unlikely to deploy its full lineup consistently after the All-Star break.
The @utahjazz still have full control of 7 future 1st-round draft picks through 2032, including all of their own from 2028-32.
They are likely to hold onto this year’s pick via the lottery, and own the second-most favorable 1st from UTA/CLE/MIN in 2027.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) February 3, 2026
The Jazz will likely ease Jackson Jr. into the rotation so he can build chemistry without risking too many late‑season wins that could jeopardize the pick.
Fans can take solace in the long view: the three‑time All‑Defensive selection is under contract for three more seasons after this one, plus a player option for 2029‑30.
Is trading for Jaren Jackson Jr. a good move for the Utah Jazz?
Even with his flaws, the Jazz would be hard-pressed to find a player who addresses their defensive weaknesses, maintains their offensive identity, and fits the timeline better than Jaren Jackson Jr.
While losing young players in Taylor Hendricks and Walt Clayton Jr. may hurt, and investing three first-round picks is no small cost, the Jazz needed to make an aggressive move to jumpstart the next phase of their rebuild, and Jackson Jr. is the ideal player to do it.
New President of Basketball Operations, Austin Ainge, needed to be bold in his approach to team building, and he did it on Tuesday, without being reckless.