Jaren Jackson Jr. to Undergo Knee Surgery After Post-Trade MRI Reveals Growth
SALT LAKE CITY - Just days after suiting up for his new team, Jaren Jackson Jr.’s debut run with the Utah Jazz is hitting an unexpected pause. The forward will undergo surgery after a post-trade physical revealed a growth in his left knee, the team announced Thursday.
The diagnosis? A localized pigmented villonodular synovitis - a rare, typically non-cancerous growth that affects the joint lining. Following the MRI, Jackson consulted with multiple medical professionals before deciding to proceed with surgery during the NBA’s All-Star break.
As of now, there’s no official timetable for his return. The Jazz say they’ll provide an update after the procedure.
This development comes just weeks after Utah acquired Jackson from Memphis in a blockbuster eight-player deal. It was a bold move for a Jazz team looking to retool on the fly. In exchange for Jackson, Jock Landale, John Konchar, and Vince Williams Jr., Utah sent Memphis three first-round picks and a package of players that included Georges Niang, Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton Jr., and Taylor Hendricks - a clear signal from the Grizzlies that they’re embracing a rebuild.
For Jackson, the move to Salt Lake City was supposed to be a fresh chapter. Drafted fourth overall by Memphis in 2018, he quickly became a cornerstone of the franchise, earning two All-Star nods and capturing the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023. His ability to protect the rim, stretch the floor, and guard multiple positions made him one of the most versatile bigs in the league.
And even in his brief stint with the Jazz, Jackson looked like he was settling in fast. In three games against Orlando, Miami, and Sacramento, he averaged 19.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.4 blocks - numbers that reflect both his scoring touch and defensive presence.
His performance against Miami was particularly telling. Jackson dropped 22 points and dished out five assists in a tight 115-111 win, showing flashes of the two-way impact Utah was hoping to unlock. Then came a dominant 121-93 win over Sacramento, where he poured in 23 points and added four assists - again, playing with the kind of poise and control that made him such a valuable acquisition.
Now, the Jazz will have to navigate the next stretch without him. For a team still figuring out its identity post-trade, Jackson’s absence is a tough blow. But the hope is that this procedure will address the issue fully, and that he’ll be back in the lineup before long - ready to anchor Utah’s frontcourt and build on what was already a promising start in his new uniform.
Until then, the Jazz will need others to step up, especially on the defensive end. Jackson’s shot-blocking instincts and ability to switch onto guards are hard to replicate, but Utah has depth - and now, a clear reason to lean on it.