The Charlotte Hornets have shown flashes of offensive brilliance in recent weeks, but if they’re serious about taking the next step, it’s time to take a hard look at the other side of the ball. And that’s where a name like Jaren Jackson Jr. becomes incredibly intriguing - even if the odds of landing him are slim.
Let’s start with the obvious: Jackson Jr. isn’t exactly on the trade block - at least not yet. His situation in Memphis is still tied closely to Ja Morant’s future.
Morant has made it clear he wants to stay put, and Jackson has echoed similar sentiments about remaining with the Grizzlies. That makes any trade scenario more complicated, especially for a team like Charlotte that would need to go all-in to even start the conversation.
But if Jackson Jr. were to become available, the Hornets would be wise to do their homework. Because despite the hefty price tag - and we’ll get to that in a moment - he brings exactly the kind of skill set that could elevate this young Charlotte squad in a big way.
A Defensive Game-Changer
Let’s talk defense. The Hornets have been electric offensively of late, leading the league in offensive rating over their last 15 games.
But defensively? They’ve been stuck in the middle of the pack, and that’s being generous.
That’s where Jackson Jr. could make a seismic impact.
At 6-foot-11 with elite timing and instincts, Jackson is one of the best shot-blockers in the NBA - and he’s got the hardware to prove it. He won Defensive Player of the Year just three seasons ago and led the league in blocks for back-to-back years. He’s not just a rim protector; he’s a defensive anchor who can alter the entire identity of a team on that end of the floor.
Charlotte simply doesn’t have that kind of presence in the paint right now. Adding Jackson would change the calculus for opposing offenses, who currently don’t have to think twice about attacking the rim.
Offensive Upside, Too
And it’s not like Jackson is a one-way player. Offensively, he brings a rare blend of inside scoring and floor spacing.
He’s a true power forward/center hybrid who can finish at the rim and knock down threes - a valuable combo in today’s NBA. While he hasn’t quite played up to his usual standards this season, a change of scenery and a new system could be exactly what he needs to rediscover his All-Star form.
He’d also slot in nicely alongside the Hornets’ core. Playing next to Moussa Diabate - one of the league’s better rebounders - would help mitigate Jackson’s own rebounding limitations. And with perimeter players like LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Kon Knueppel all capable of contributing on the glass, Charlotte could afford to live with Jackson’s occasional shortcomings in that department.
The fouling issue is real - he’s been known to get into early foul trouble - but that’s a tradeoff you might be willing to make for someone who can anchor your defense and stretch the floor offensively.
The Contract Question
Of course, none of this comes cheap. Jackson is locked in through at least the 2028-29 season, with a player option worth $53.5 million the following year. That’s a massive commitment, especially for a franchise like Charlotte that’s already staring down the barrel of future max deals for both Miller and Knueppel.
It’s a financial puzzle that wouldn’t be easy to solve. To even make the salaries work, the Hornets would likely have to part with significant assets - possibly including Miles Bridges - just to get Memphis to the negotiating table. And that’s before you even factor in what the Grizzlies would want in return to justify moving one of their cornerstone players.
A Long Shot Worth Considering
So yes, the odds of Jackson Jr. landing in Charlotte are long. But the fit?
It’s almost too perfect. A defensive anchor who can stretch the floor, complement the Hornets’ offensive stars, and help reshape their identity on both ends?
That’s the kind of player who doesn’t come around often - and certainly not one who’s still just 26 years old with multiple All-Star nods already under his belt.
It would take guts. It would take assets.
And it would take a serious financial commitment. But if the Hornets want to shift from rebuilding to contending, making a move for a player like Jaren Jackson Jr. is exactly the kind of swing that could change everything.
Even if it’s just a dream right now, it’s one worth thinking about.