MEMPHIS Grizzlies have taken a major step toward reshaping their roster after agreeing to a multi-player trade that send All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. to Utah Jazz.
The transaction involves eight players and multiple draft assets as Memphis signals a shift toward long-term rebuilding with the NBA trade deadline set for Thursday (Friday in the Philippines).
Under the agreement, the Jazz acquired Jackson along with John Konchar, Vince Williams Jr., and Jock Landale. In return, the Grizzlies received Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks and Georges Niang, plus three future first-round draft picks.
The move comes as Memphis continues to struggle this season. The Grizzlies are currently in 11th place in the Western Conference with a 19-29 record and have been unable to gain traction in the playoff race.
Jackson, 26, has been one of the franchise’s cornerstone players since being selected fourth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. He earned NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors in the 2022–23 season and has been named to the All-Defensive Team three times.
This season, Jackson is averaging 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game through 45 appearances. Over his Memphis career, Jackson posted averages of 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks across 452 games, starting in nearly all of them.
Aside from Jackson, Konchar, Williams, and Landale, the Grizzlies are also being monitored if they will also ship away star guard Ja Morant before the end of trade deadline.
Meanwhile, Boston Celtics were able to bolster their frontline after acquiring veteran center Nikola Vucevic from Chicago Bulls for Anfernee Simons and a second-round pick.
The Bulls were also involved in a three-team trade with Minnesota Timberwolves and Detroit Pistons where they were able to secure the services of Jaden Ivey and Mike Conley Jr.
The Pistons, on the other hand, landed Kevin Huerter, Dario Saric, and 2026 first-round protected swap from Minnesota.
Los Angeles Clippers also made their move by sending veteran guard James Harden to Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland and a future second round pick./PN
