Memphis trails only the Thunder and Nets in 1st round picks in the next 7 years
The The Memphis Grizzlies have fully dived into a rebuild on Tuesday afternoon, he dealt Jaren Jackson Jr., along with a host of other players, to the Utah Jazz for a package led by three first-round picks.
The the picks the Grizzlies got for Jackson2023 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, could become very valuable; they received the Jazz/Minnesota Timberwolves/Cleveland Cavaliers’ most valuable 2027 first-round pick along with an unprotected 2027 first-rounder from the Los Angeles Lakers and a 2031 first-rounder from the Phoenix Suns.
With the Grizzlies struggling to a 19-29 record this season, it may indeed have been the best decision to trade Jackson before his supermax extension (worth $204 million over the next four seasons) begins. This is a solid follow up to the emergency exchange they made back in June when they shipped Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for a total of four picks in the first round, as well as a 2029 pick swap.
Now, the Grizzlies have a total of of 12 first-round picks over the next seven years. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, only the Oklahoma City Thunder and Brooklyn Nets have more champions in the same period. Memphis is in a good position to start loading up on young prospects they can develop to try to build the next competitive iteration of the Grizzlies.
Grizzlies aren’t done yet on the market
It’s kind of amazing that Morant outlasted both Bayne and Jackson with the Grizzlies, but it just suggests how cold the market is for a high-flying point guard.
However, with The Grizzlies fully embrace the youth movementMorant is more likely to go via trade than ever. Memphis will end up selling him low given how much he’s struggled this season compared to his previous level, but there’s no room for half measures when you hit the reset button.
2026-02-04 05:44:00
