Jaren Jackson Jr. trade grades: Who won Grizzlies-Jazz deal?

The Memphis Grizzlies have made a deal to ship one of their stars, but it might not be the one you’re thinking.

The Grizzlies are reportedly sending forward Jaren Jackson Jr., the two-time All-Star and 2018-19 Defensive Player of the Year, John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr. to the Utah Jazz for three first-round draft picks as well as Walter Clayton, Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks and Georges Niang.

It’s a significant trade, and one that might point to point guard Ja Morant potentially being moved before the NBA trading deadline Thursday, Feb. 5 at 3p.m. ET.

Here are grades for the Jaren Jackson Jr. trade:

Memphis Grizzlies

They’ve been languishing in the West and simply do not look like a team that’s in position to compete. Memphis is 19-29 and has lost 13 of its last 17 games. So if general manager Zach Kleiman and coach Tuomas Iisalo feel it’s time to either rebuild or stash draft capital to try to make a bigger move, it makes complete sense to sell high.

While Clayton is an intriguing rookie, this move is all about the first-round draft picks. Memphis now gets the more favorable 2027 selection (among the Cavaliers, Timberwolves or Jazz), but the Grizzlies are now holding 13 first-round picks over the next seven NBA drafts. That’s a massive stash that the team could leverage into trades for established stars, or for trades up in these drafts to select some of the top available players.

It will also give Memphis plenty of opportunities to select prospects, helping it build a young core for the future.

This move aligns with the team’s previous trade of Desmond Bane to the Magic. In fact, getting seven first-round picks for Jackson and Bane is a stellar haul. Now, the Grizzlies need to put that draft capital to work and they need to hit with those picks.

Grade: A-

Utah Jazz

Was this an overpay? Perhaps, but the first-round picks are pretty much the going rate for established veterans with some star potential. Jackson is only 26 and is a versatile forward who is already in his eighth season in the league and who can also play center. Though his shooting splits and scoring have taken a dip this season, Jackson still averages 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.0 steals per game.

Jackson instantly provides an upgrade in the frontcourt and probably means Jusuf Nurkić will take on a smaller role, if he’s not eventually dealt. And, when paired with stretch forward Lauri Markkanen, the Jazz suddenly have a solid duo down low.

And, if the Jazz keep Walker Kessler, who’s out for the season with a torn labrum, that gives Utah a ton of size in the future.

Still, Utah remains a very young team, though the hope is that Jackson can provide some veteran leadership for young players like Keyonte George (22 years old), Cody Williams (21) and Ace Bailey (19).

The Jazz, however, have lost six consecutive games and are just 15-35, which is 13^th in the West. This trade probably doesn’t elevate them to the play-in window in a very tough conference. But it may help set them up for future success.

Grade: B