The NBA trade season just delivered its first real shockwave - and it’s a big one. Jaren Jackson Jr., the Memphis Grizzlies’ defensive anchor and rising star, is headed to the Utah Jazz.
In return, Memphis is getting a package built around role players and, more importantly, three first-round picks. That’s a steep price, and it sends a clear message to the rest of the league: if you want elite talent, be ready to pay up.
And for the Milwaukee Bucks? This deal is music to their ears.
Let’s break this down. Jackson is a very good player - no question.
He’s averaging 19.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game for his career. He’s a two-time All-Star, a three-time All-Defensive selection, and has a Defensive Player of the Year trophy to his name.
The Jazz clearly believe he’s the kind of foundational piece who can help them push back into the Western Conference playoff picture, and they were willing to part with a significant chunk of their future to get him.
What makes this more interesting is that Utah didn’t include any of their top young prospects in the deal. That likely bumped the price tag up from one or two first-rounders to three. Memphis, meanwhile, walks away with a strong return for a player who, while talented, wasn’t necessarily the centerpiece of their long-term plans anymore.
But here’s where things get really intriguing - especially in Milwaukee.
If Jaren Jackson Jr. is worth three first-round picks, what’s the asking price for Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Let’s be real: Jackson is a fantastic two-way player, but he’s not Giannis. The Greek Freak is a two-time MVP, an NBA champion, and one of the most dominant forces this league has ever seen.
He’s not just a franchise player - he is the franchise. If Jackson can net three firsts without any blue-chip talent going the other way, then the Bucks should be expecting a king’s ransom in any potential Giannis deal.
And yet, some of the offers reportedly floating around - from teams like the Knicks or Timberwolves - have been underwhelming at best. Minimal draft capital, no elite young talent, and proposals that feel more like lowball offers than serious negotiations.
That’s not going to cut it. Not even close.
The Bucks now have a benchmark. They can point to the Jackson trade and say, “That’s the floor.”
Any team that wants to get in on the Giannis sweepstakes better be willing to start with three or four first-round picks, throw in some pick swaps, and include at least one or two blue-chip prospects. Otherwise, the conversation doesn’t even get off the ground.
Of course, there’s a complication: draft capital is in short supply right now. Most teams won’t have full access to their future picks until the summer, which limits what can realistically be offered before the trade deadline. The Golden State Warriors are one of the few teams that could put together a compelling offer today - but they’re the exception, not the rule.
Still, that’s not Milwaukee’s problem. Utah found a way to make it work for Jackson. If a team wants Giannis, they can figure it out too.
According to a recent report, the offers the Bucks have received so far have been so underwhelming that this saga could drag into the offseason. And honestly?
That’s fine. Milwaukee holds the cards here.
They’re under no obligation to rush a deal, especially not when they now have a trade like this one to strengthen their leverage.
The message is clear: if you want a superstar, you’re going to have to pay superstar prices. The bar has been set - and it’s high.
Stay locked in for more updates as the Bucks navigate one of the most high-stakes trade situations in recent memory.