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The Memphis Grizzlies have traded away one of their cornerstone pieces in a blockbuster move before the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Jaren Jackson Jr., whom the Grizzlies took fourth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, led the Utah Jazz in a trade package that also included John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr., ESPN reported.
The Jazz return Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three future first-round picks.
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Memphis Grizzlies power forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (8) shoots a three-pointer in the second quarter against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum on January 28, 2026. (Matthew Smith/Imagn Images)
Utah is making a big change with this move, adding Jackson to a team that includes Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George and Walker Kessler, among others.
Meanwhile, the Grizzlies are showing their desire to rebuild as they are loaded with first-round picks and also have a good, young core to build around.
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The Grizzlies have a whopping 13 first-round picks over the next seven seasons, tied with the Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Memphis also made NBA history, creating the largest trade exception ever worth $28.8 million with this deal. That’s the type of refresh the 19-29 Grizzlies need.
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (8) runs with the ball during an NBA basketball game between the Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies in Berlin, Germany, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi)
The Jazz have underperformed this season, owning a brutal 15-35 record after dropping their sixth straight game on Sunday night.
Jackson was one of the top players in the NBA Draft coming out of Michigan State in 2018, and the Grizzlies added the 6-foot-10 forward/center to be versatile for their team long term.
He’s done just that, earning two All-Star nods while averaging 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.9 blocks per game over 452 career games in Memphis.
Jackson is one of the best defenders in the NBA, winning Defensive Player of the Year in the 2022-23 NBA season while finishing second-team All-Defense last season.
Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies reacts in the first half against the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center on January 26, 2026 in Houston, Texas. (Tim Warner/Getty Images)
Jackson is today’s modern big man who has the ability to shoot from the perimeter as well as near the rim. He is averaging 35.9% from three-point territory and 47.5% from the field this season while averaging 19.2 points per game. night.
