Memphis under fire for trading Jaren Jackson to Jazz

Now the completely unrecognizable Memphis Grizzlies sent a clear signal that their competitive era around Ja Morant is over. Desmond Bane was shipped last summer; Jaren Jackson Jrcontract negotiations led to the opening NBA trade deadline conversations. In return, they received Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niyang and three future first-round picks. It’s hard to call that great job worth the extra credit in EVP/GM Zach Kleiman’s report.

Fans have every right to be disappointed given the potential of this core. Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Ja Morant all sat in second last February. Now everyone is they live in different time zones.

Those picks aren’t exactly inspiring returns. After all, it seems that no one will fall for the lottery. No offense to any of the returning players, but it’s hard to see Clayton Jr., Anderson, Hendricks or Niang moving the needle anytime soon. They definitely won’t sell that many tickets. This deal is a B- or C+ at best.

To contextualize the comeback, it’s worth comparing it to historical trades by big stars. The LA Clippers traded Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons just months after agreeing to a contract extension. In exchange, the Clippers received Tobias Harris, Avery Bradley, Boban Marjanovic, a protected first-round pick (which later became Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) and a second-rounder.

What’s really disappointing is when compared to the 2022 Rudy Gobert trade, which set the modern standard for pulling off superstar big men. The Utah Jazz sent Gobert (three-time Defensive Player of the Year) to the Minnesota Timberwolves and received a stunning package. Malik Beasley, Patrick Beverley, Leandro Bolmaro, Jared Vanderbilt, Walker Kessler (22nd pick in 2022), plus four unprotected first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, 2029) and a trade of 2026 picks.

It was an offer from the Godfather that was impossible to refuse. It’s also the scariest lens through which to view Jackson Jr.’s return. It established a market ceiling for elite defense centers. Now, the Jazz have essentially traded the Defensive Player of the Year, replacing Gobert with Jackson Jr., another DPOI winner who offers more offensive versatility and is five years younger.

From a pure asset management standpoint, the decision to move Jaren Jackson Jr. lands somewhere in the awkward middle of the NBA trade value spectrum. It’s not a disaster. It’s not a robbery, but it hurts too much to be an A-level move. Especially since it all just goes to show that Ja Morant won’t be tumbling around on Beale Street for much longer.