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MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 09: Jaren Jackson Jr. #20 of the Utah Jazz reacts against the Miami Heat during the second quarter of the game at Kaseya Center on February 09, 2026 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tomas Diniz Santos/Getty Images)
The Utah Jazz made the surprising decision to trade for Jaren Jackson Jr. at the trade deadline. Jackson Jr. was sent from Memphis to Utah in exchange for a massive number of picks. Utah has a vision of playing a massive lineup.
Lauri Markkanen looks poised to play the small forward position, while Walker Kessler will be the starting center next season. Jackson Jr. will slide into the power forward spot. He has already played three games for Utah since the trade was made, and has played well.
Despite playing well and seemingly feeling good, Jackson Jr. will now possibly be shut down for the rest of the season for surgery.
GettyUtah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. catches the ball. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)
Utah Jazz Shut Down Jaren Jackson Jr. for Knee Surgery
According to NBA Insider Chris Haynes, Jackson Jr. is set to undergo knee surgery. There is a chance that the surgery will end his season, as well. That is a shocking development, considering Jackson Jr. has not looked injured while he has been playing for Utah.
Utah has been very strategic in recent games with their lineups. They have been getting very creative in their ways to tank, specifically by sitting their stars for the fourth quarters of games. It’s clear they want to tank one final time before trying to win games next season.
Shutting Jackson Jr. down seems like another way for them to accelerate their tanking efforts. According to Haynes, a localized PVNS growth was discovered post-trade. This surgery is for Jackson Jr.’s long-term health, according to the team. This just happens to help their tank efforts.
Right now, Utah sits 13th in the Western Conference standings. They currently sit outside the top-four odds of landing the number-one pick, which is where they would like to be at season’s end. That will be easier to achieve without Jackson Jr. in the lineup.
GettyUtah Jazz forward Jaren Jackson Jr. dribbles the ball. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
The Jazz Will Be Bolder With Tanking Efforts
Now that their newest star is likely out for the season, Utah is likely going to ramp up its efforts to lose some games. A lot of younger players are going to get playing time late in games, especially if the fourth quarters are close. That’s the best way for them to enhance their tanking efforts.
Next season will finally see Will Hardy actually be able to coach a team that is trying to win. With Markkanen, Jackson Jr., and Kessler all healthy, they should try to make the playoffs next year. The Jazz are hoping Ace Bailey can develop for the rest of this season, as well.
The NBA is likely unhappy with how the Jazz have been handling things heading into the All-Star break. There’s a chance they try to tinker with the tanking rules once the season is over in response to how Utah handles their lineups. That’s a slippery slope, as the league can’t tell a coaching staff how to use their players during a game.