Grizzlies Trade Jaren Jackson Jr to Jazz, Morant Drama Looms

The Grizzlies traded Jaren Jackson Jr., Vince Williams Jr., John Konchar and Jock Landale to the Utah Jazz for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three first-round picks, including Utah’s most favorable 2027 pick, the Lakers’ 2027 pick and the Suns’ 2031 pick. The deal creates a $28.8 million trade exception, the largest in NBA history. Jackson is a two-time All-Star and the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 19.2 points and 1.5 blocks, and his exit shows Memphis will move core pieces despite earlier reports they were "entertaining offers" for Ja Morant. Merlin sees Memphis choosing leverage over loyalty. Utah gains rim protection and stability, while Memphis collects draft ammo and a rare sorcerer’s tool in that massive trade exception. The move makes a full rebuild more plausible and keeps Morant as the chess piece everyone is still studying.