Sources: Memphis Grizzlies Trade Jaren Jackson Jr. To Utah Jazz, Signal Full Rebuild With Historic Draft Haul

The Memphis Grizzlies have agreed to trade star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz in a franchise-altering deal that confirms a full organizational reset, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com. The agreement was later reported nationally.

Memphis will send Jackson, John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. to Utah. In return, the Grizzlies will receive Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three future first-round draft picks.

Those picks include Utah’s most favorable 2027 first-round pick (from Cleveland, Minnesota or Utah), the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick, and Phoenix’s 2031 first-round pick, sources said.

How Jaren Jackson Jr. Emerged as the Centerpiece

Sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com that Jackson began to prominently emerge as a trade candidate when Memphis started entertaining trade conversations involving point guard Ja Morant earlier this season. While Morant remained the most visible name, teams around the league viewed Jackson as the asset most capable of delivering a massive return.

However, front offices truly began planning potential pursuits after Memphis traded Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic this summer, according to sources. That move was widely interpreted as a signal that the Grizzlies’ original core had run its course, accelerating league-wide interest in Jackson well before the Feb. 5 deadline drew closer.

Jackson addressed the growing uncertainty earlier this week after Memphis defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves at FedExForum.

“You have to be a pro about it,” Jackson said Feb. 2. “You have to be a pro every day, coming into work doing what you’re asked and being ready to play. At the end of the day, being out there on the court is the most fun part of all this, so get your mind right for that and let everything play out.”

Morant remains a trade candidate, sources said, though his market has been limited as the midseason deadline nears. If moved, it would likely come in a deal resembling the Trae Young swap involving the Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards—a low-risk deal that didn’t require significant value.

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s Legacy in Memphis

Jaren Jackson Jr. leaves Memphis as one of the most accomplished players in franchise history. He is averaging 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.5 blocks this season while shooting 47.5% from the field, 35.9% from three-point range, and 79.7% from the free-throw line across 45 games.

Over eight seasons with the Grizzlies, Jackson posted career averages of 18.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in 452 games, emerging as a foundational two-way presence. A two-time NBA All-Star and the 2022–23 Defensive Player of the Year, Jackson was a three-time All-Defensive selection and a two-time blocks champion, anchoring Memphis’ defense while steadily expanding his offensive profile.

After entering the league as a 19-year-old in 2018–19, Jackson evolved into a high-usage frontcourt scorer, averaging 22.5 points in 2023–24 and 22.2 points in 2024–25, while maintaining floor-spacing efficiency as a career 35.1% three-point shooter. His ability to protect the rim without sacrificing offensive versatility ultimately made him one of the league’s premier modern big men—and the centerpiece of Memphis’ most significant roster era.

Despite months of speculation, Jackson said communication with the organization remained consistent even through major internal changes in recent seasons.

“I talk to them all the time,” Jackson said. “I probably won’t tell you that. That’s probably the whole point of us talking when y’all aren’t around.”

Trade Mechanics for Memphis Grizzlies and Utah Jazz

The trade carries substantial long-term salary implications.

Contracts headed to Utah:

• Jaren Jackson Jr.: $35M, $49M, $50.5M, $52M, $53.5M (player option)
• John Konchar: $6.2M, $6.2M
• Jock Landale: $2.3M
• Vince Williams Jr.: $2.3M, $2.5M

Contracts headed to Memphis:

• Kyle Anderson: $9.2M, $9.7M (non-guaranteed)
• Georges Niang: $8.2M
• Taylor Hendricks: $6.2M, $7.8M
• Walter Clayton Jr.: $4.0M, $4.2M, $4.4M (team option), $6.8M (team option)

Memphis also generated a $28.8 million trade exception, the largest ever created in NBA history. It surpasses the previous record of $28.5 million, created by the Boston Celtics during the 2020 sign-and-trade that sent Gordon Hayward to the Charlotte Hornets.

Memphis Grizzlies Load Up on Draft Picks

With the deal complete, the Memphis Grizzlies now control 13 first-round picks over the next seven years, tying the Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder for the most in the NBA. But the rebuild is not centered on draft capital alone.

“Memphis is blowing it up,” one source said. “They are as confident as any franchise when it comes to hitting on the draft.”

In addition to a record-setting $28.8 million trade exception, Memphis brought back multiple flexible, mid-tier contracts that can be aggregated or moved independently, positioning the Grizzlies to take on salary in future deals and be compensated for doing so if opportunistic scenarios arise, sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com.

While Ja Morant remains a trade candidate to monitor, the broader direction is unmistakable. Memphis has chosen patience, flexibility, and long-term upside rather than incremental retooling. A major part of that future is Zach Edey and Cedric Coward. Sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com that both players are viewed internally as cornerstone players.

The organization has been highly encouraged by what Edey showed before going down with injury and plans to make him a focal point moving forward, even as it takes a cautious approach to his rehab and return. In 11 appearances this season, Edey averaged 13.6 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks in 25.8 minutes per game, production that reinforced the team’s belief in his long-term role.

Coward has emerged as a steady two-way contributor in his rookie season. In 45 games this season, he has averaged 13.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in 26.7 minutes per game while shooting 46.7% from the field, 34.5% from three-point range, and 84.9% from the free-throw line, providing Memphis with a reliable, versatile piece as the next era takes shape.

In addition to Edey and Coward, the Grizzlies have established a collection of young talent — all 25 or younger — including Jaylen Wells, Santi Aldama, Cam Spencer, and GG Jackson, while adding Walter Clayton Jr. and Taylor Hendricks in the deal with Utah.

That timeline aligns with Memphis’ ability to maximize draft positioning in what league evaluators widely view as a talented 2026 draft class.

Utah Jazz Make a Calculated Bet

For Utah, the deal represents a decisive swing toward competitiveness in 2026-27 and beyond. Sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com that the Jazz envision playing Jackson alongside Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler, creating a versatile frontcourt foundation. With Keyonte George and Ace Bailey on the perimeter, Utah is building a core that can grow together.

Kessler will be a name to watch this summer. He is set to enter restricted free agency, and sources told DallasHoopsJournal.com earlier this season that he has sought a contract in the $120 million range, a figure that could heavily influence Utah’s cap strategy. Rival teams, including the Indiana Pacers and Washington Wizards, are teams to keep an eye on, sources said.

There is also a draft incentive in play. The Thunder own Utah’s 2026 first-round pick, but it is top-eight protected. If it does not convey this season, the obligation extinguishes. Utah currently holds the sixth-worst record in the NBA, making how the Jazz balance competitiveness and caution down the stretch a key subplot to watch.

For Memphis, however, the message is clear. With historic draft capital, a record-setting trade exception, and a young centerpiece in Edey, the Grizzlies have fully closed the book on their former core—and committed to shaping the next era on their own timeline.

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