A major NBA deadline trade shook the league. Shams Charania announced that the Memphis Grizzlies are trading Jaren Jackson Jr., John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz in exchange for Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang, and three future first-round picks. The rebuild now appears to be in full swing for Memphis, as the Grizzlies move on from the 2022–23 Defensive Player of the Year in exchange for young talent and draft capital.
This is an interesting move for the Jazz, who also seem to be in the midst of a rebuild. Utah is currently one of the worst teams in the league. Though the team has shown flashes of potential—most notably Jan. 20 win over a fully healthy Minnesota Timberwolves squad, in which guard Keyonte George scored a career-high 43 points. The Jazz hope this move brings them back to the playoffs after trading Donovan Mitchell.
Photo Cred: The Salt Like Tribune
What does this mean for the Jazz?
This is clearly a “buying” move for Utah. The Jazz have desperately needed help on the defensive end this season—according to NBA.com, they rank dead last in defensive efficiency—and adding a former Defensive Player of the Year should immediately elevate the team’s defense. Utah was also able to absorb Jackson Jr.’s max contract, as Lauri Markkanen is currently the only other Jazz player earning more than $20 million annually.
If the Jazz can get healthy, a push for the play-in tournament is certainly within reach. Last season, the Dallas Mavericks entered the play-in as the No. 10 seed and still ended up with the No. 1 overall pick. However, this strategy comes with risk, as Utah’s 2026 first-round pick is top-eight protected—meaning if it falls outside the top eight, it conveys to the Oklahoma City Thunder. At first glance, this trade may seem puzzling for a team still rebuilding, but looking beyond this season, Utah’s long-term vision is becoming clearer. The Jazz appear eager to transition out of a rebuild and toward contention.
What does this mean for the Grizzlies?
For Memphis, this move signals the start of a new rebuild. After Desmond Bane was traded last summer, questions lingered about whether the Grizzlies were rebuilding or merely retooling. Now midway through the 2025–26 season, Memphis has been plagued by injuries and sits at 19–29, 11th in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies are now turning their focus fully to their young core.
Photo Cred:
According to Grant Afseth, Cedric Coward and Zach Edey are viewed as franchise cornerstones. Coward, a rookie, has delivered a promising first season, averaging 13.8 points per game and earning a starting role under head coach Tuomas Iisalo. Edey made the All-Rookie First Team last season after nearly averaging a double-double. Injuries have limited him this year, but in the 11 games he has played, Edey is averaging 13.6 points and 11.1 rebounds per contest.
One notable young piece acquired in the deal is rookie Walter Clayton Jr. The national champion point guard showed promise in Utah, but the crowded backcourt—featuring Keyonte George and second-year guard Isaiah Collier—left limited opportunity for consistent minutes. Memphis also significantly bolstered its draft assets. The Grizzlies now hold 13 first-round picks over the next seven years. Additionally, Memphis generated a record-setting $28.8 million trade exception as part of the deal.
This flexibility allows the Grizzlies to absorb large contracts in future trades in exchange for additional draft picks or young players. With Jackson Jr. gone, Ja Morant is now the lone remaining core piece from the Grizzlies teams that made playoff runs in 2022 and 2023. Since their first-round exit in 2023, Memphis has not won a playoff game. It’s clear the organization felt the need to reset and refocus around its next generation.
What does this mean for Ja Morant?
A Morant trade now feels inevitable. The two-time All-Star has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the season and has dealt with both on- and off-court issues. Despite publicly expressing his desire to remain in Memphis, a fresh start may ultimately be best for both sides. Potential destinations such as the Miami Heat or Toronto Raptors could make sense, particularly for a team seeking a dynamic point guard ready to contend. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Grizzlies are continuing to entertain trade discussions involving Morant following the blockbuster Jackson Jr. deal.
