Breaking News: It was announced Tuesday afternoon that the Memphis Grizzlies are trading their star forward, Jaren Jackson Jr., along with John Konchar, Jock Landale, and Vince Williams Jr., to the Utah Jazz for Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton Jr., Taylor Hendricks, George Niang, and three future first-round picks.
The Grizzlies drafted Jaren Jackson Jr. with the fourth overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, and his arrival signaled the end of the Grit N Grind era with the Core Four of Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Tony Allen.
Jackson Jr. agreed to a five-year, $240 million contract extension with the Grizzlies in the 2025 offseason.
In this deal, Memphis has created a $28.8 million trade exception, the largest ever in NBA history.
It’s particularly brutal that this news comes after Jackson Jr.’s 30-point game in last night’s win over the Timberwolves, but the move appears to be indicating a total rebuild for Memphis. I expect one or more other significant trades to happen before the February 5th trade deadline.
The pain and heartbreak are probably not over for Grizzlies fans. It goes without saying that I hate this trade with my whole entire soul.