After months of speculation that the Memphis Grizzlies would go on a rebuild, they made a blockbuster trade on Tuesday. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Grizzlies sent two-time NBA All-Star Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz in exchange for a package headlined by rookie Walter Clayton Jr. and three first-round picks.
Here’s the full breakdown of the eight-player trade, per Charania:
Thanks for the submission!
The Grizzlies receive: Clayton, Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, Georges Niang and three first-round draft picks
•
The Jazz receive: Jackson, John Konchar, Jock Landale and Vince Williams Jr.
With this trade, Memphis retooled with draft picks while acquiring several key role players. Should Ja Morant remain with the Grizzlies past the deadline, he would be the centerpiece of a team laden with young players.
Here’s a look at the Grizzlies’ depth chart following the eight-player trade:
With center Zach Edey out with a left ankle injury, the Grizzlies lack size in the frontcourt. Forward Santi Aldama will likely start for Memphis alongside recently acquired Hendricks. The rest of the starting lineup will likely be composed of Jaylen Wells, Cedric Coward and Ty Jerome, who has been starting in place of the injured Morant.
Clayton will lead the bench unit and veterans Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Anderson and Georges Niang will have key supporting roles.
Shams Charania says trade discussions for Grizzlies star Ja Morant continue
Following the trade for Jaren Jackson Jr., ESPN’s Shams Charania said the Memphis Grizzlies are leaning towards a full-on rebuild. With two days before the NBA trade deadline, Charania said Memphis continues to engage in trade conversations for star guard Ja Morant.
“The Grizzlies conversations on Ja Morant and entertaining offers is continuing around the league,” Charania said on Tuesday. “There’s multiple teams with interest in Ja Morant. … This is a Grizzlies organization prioritizing their young core. … Ja Morant trade conversations between now and Thursday are continuing to heat up.”
The Miami Heat, Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings are the three teams linked to Morant. NBA insider Brian Windhorst said the Grizzlies expect to receive significant draft capital in a blockbuster trade for Morant. Windhorst added that Memphis is open to absorbing bad contracts in exchange for future assets.
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos

