Memphis Grizzlies brass have shipped franchise cornerstone Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz as the centerpiece of an eight-player trade deadline transaction Tuesday, Feb. 3.
The rebuilding Grizzlies will receive three first-round picks, along with rookie point guard Walter Clayton Jr. and second-year power forward Taylor Hendricks. Forward Kyle Anderson and guard Georges Niang are also part of the deal. It is Anderson’s second stint with the Grizzlies after spending 2018 to 2022 with the squad.
In addition to 30-year-old reserve big man Jock Landale, Memphis also surrenders guards Vince Williams Jr. and John Konchar in the swap.
However, Jackson is clearly the prize for the Jazz. The former Defensive Player of the Year in 2023 has been a model of consistency during his career. The former Michigan State Spartan has averaged 18.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in his eight seasons with the team.
Jackson is also a two-time Western Conference All-Star reserve after receiving invites from coaches in 2023 and 2025.
This season, the 6-foot-10 rim protector is averaging 19.2 points per game. Point guard — and fellow trade candidate — Ja Morant leads the squad with 19.5 points per game. The Grizzlies have not had as much luck finding any takers for the backcourt star.
Jaren Jackson Jr. squares up for a three-point shot against Spurs rookie Stephen Castle during the Grizzlies 128-109 win on Monday, Feb. 3. It was the second game in a row that Jackson scored over 30 points. (Warren Rosenborough/The Tri-State Defenser)) 
Houston’s Dillon Brooks, a former Grizzlies, battles Jaren Jackson Jr of the Memphis Grizzlies for the ball. (Warren Rosenborough/The Tri-State Defender) 
Jaren Jackson’s 22.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game has earned the 6’10” power forward All-Star Game consideration. (Terry Davis) 
Grizzlies big men Zach Edey and Jaren Jackson Jr. swarm Daniel Gafford of the Mavericks. (Photo: Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender) 
Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Grizzlies guarding Draymond Green of the Warriors. (Photo: Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender) 
Jaren Jackson takes it strong to the hoop for two of his game high 35 points against the Dallas Mavericks (Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender) 
Memphis forward Jaren Jackson, Jr. shoots over a pair of Pelicans defenders. The Grizzlies’ leading scorer had 23 points in the game. (Terry Davis, The Tri-State Defender) 
Joel Embiid and Jaren Jackson Jr. battled all night. Embiid led all scorers with 39 points, but Jackson and the Grizzlies got the 117-111 win. (Photo: D’Angelo Connell/Tri-State Defender) 
The Grizzlies’ defense, led by Jaren Jackson Jr. (left) and Jay Huff, stops Ayo Dosunmu of the Bulls as he drives to the basket. (Photo: Warren Roseborough/Tri-State Defender) 
Dereck Lively III powers up against Santi Aldama and Jaren Jackson Jr. (Photo: Terry Davis/The Tri-State Defender) 
Post-game celebration: (l-r) Kennedy Chandler, Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Kenneth Lofton Jr. and Jaren Jackson Jr. (Photo: Terry Davis/The New Tri-State Defender) 
Jaren Jackson Jr. slams two of his 18 points. (Photo: Terry Davis/The New Tri-State Defender)
The trade also clears the remaining four years of Jackson’s five-year, $239 million contract off the Grizzlies’ payroll. The pact included a player option for the 2029-30 season. With the roster additions, Memphis is currently committed to $153.8 million in salaries this season, just under the salary cap of $154.6 million.
The Grizzlies also created significant financial flexibility with the trade. They now hold a record-setting $28.8 million trade exception. The financial tool allows teams over the salary cap to acquire players without matching salary. The Grizzlies could use it to help other teams complete trades in exchange for further draft capital. It will expire in one year.
Memphis began its rebuild in the summer, when it traded starting guard Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic for four first-round draft picks and veteran players. With the trade with the Jazz, the Grizzlies will acquire the most favorable 2027 first-round pick from either the Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves or Utah. Memphis also nabs a top-four protected pick from the Los Angeles Lakers next year and picked up the Phoenix Suns’ first-round pick in 2031.
The Grizzlies now own a massive war chest that includes 13 first-round draft picks over the next seven years.
Utah, meanwhile, appears intent on ending its years-long rebuild. Jackson will join Finnish seven-footer Lauri Markkanen to form an imposing and potentially high-scoring frontcourt.
The Grizzlies are currently in 11th place in the Western Conference standings with a 19-29 record, while the Jazz are two spots behind at 15-35.
