Just a week ago, the Utah Jazz made an intriguing deal with the Memphis Grizzlies to acquire Jaren Jackson Jr. Perhaps this move was influenced by the team knowing Walker Kessler likely won’t be back after this season. The trade itself was a lengthy one.
“The Utah Jazz are acquiring star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies as part of an eight-player trade, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania. Memphis will receive three first-round draft picks along with rookie guard Walter Clayton Jr. and forwards Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks and Georges Niang, according to sources,” ESPN’s Tim MacMahon wrote.
Landing Jackson was undoubtedly a strong move for the franchise, especially as it bolstered the frontcourt alongside Lauri Markkanen and Kyle Filipkowski. However, it was reported Thursday morning that Jackson will likely miss the remainder of the season for the Jazz.
“Utah Jazz star Jaren Jackson Jr. is likely to miss the remainder of the season to undergo surgery on his left knee to ensure his long-term health after a localized PVNS growth was discovered post trade, league sources tell me,” NBA insider Chris Haynes wrote.
This is tough news for Utah, as fans were just beginning to get a glimpse of the future with Jackson and Markkanen anchoring the middle. College basketball analyst Jeff Goodman is now accusing the Jazz of tanking following the injury announcement.
“This tanking thing is getting out of control. Gonna be almost a quarter of the league trying to tank after the all-star break. Adam Silver needs to do something about this for the future of the league,” Jeff Goodman posted.
It’s an interesting accusation from Goodman. If the Jazz were planning to tank, surely they wouldn’t have traded for Jackson in the first place. If this truly is a form of tanking, it’s a wild one.
It just doesn’t make sense for a player to undergo surgery simply to help a team tank. Regardless, if this is determined to be tanking, Adam Silver will have to act quickly.