The Memphis Grizzlies just made one of the biggest splashes of the 2025-26 NBA trade deadline - and they did it without moving their most talked-about star, Ja Morant.
Instead, the Grizzlies sent shockwaves through the league by dealing Jaren Jackson Jr., the former Defensive Player of the Year and a cornerstone of their franchise for the past six seasons, to the Utah Jazz. The return? A hefty package of young talent, veteran depth, and three future first-round picks - a clear sign that Memphis is shifting gears.
Let’s unpack what this blockbuster deal means for both teams, and more importantly, what it could signal for the future of Ja Morant in Memphis.
Grizzlies-Jazz Trade Breakdown
To Memphis:
- Walter Clayton Jr.
- Kyle Anderson
- Taylor Hendricks
- Georges Niang
- Three future first-round picks
To Utah:
- Jaren Jackson Jr.
- John Konchar
- Jock Landale
- Vince Williams Jr.
This is an eight-player deal with serious long-term implications. The headline, of course, is Jackson - a two-time All-Star and one of the league’s premier defenders - heading to a Utah team that’s clearly looking to make a leap.
The Jazz, sitting at 15-35, aren’t contenders yet, but this move suggests they’re targeting next season as their breakout window. Jackson joins a promising core that already includes Lauri Markkanen, top rookie Ace Bailey, Keyonte George, Walker Kessler, and more.
That’s a young, versatile group with a lot of upside - and now, some serious defensive muscle.
For Memphis, the return is all about the future. Walter Clayton Jr. and Taylor Hendricks are intriguing young pieces with upside, while veterans Kyle Anderson and Georges Niang bring experience and flexibility.
But the real prize here is the draft capital. The Grizzlies are getting:
- The most favorable 2027 first-round pick from a pool of Cleveland, Minnesota, or Utah
- The Lakers' 2027 first-round pick
- Phoenix’s 2031 first-round pick
Add to that a massive $28.8 million trade exception - the largest in NBA history - and Memphis has opened up a world of possibilities for future deals.
The End of an Era in Memphis?
The Morant-Jackson duo was supposed to be the foundation of something special in Memphis. Drafted one year apart - Jackson in 2018, Morant in 2019 - they quickly became one of the league’s most dynamic young tandems.
They brought swagger, speed, and a new identity to the Grizzlies. But after a string of early playoff exits and a rocky 2025-26 campaign (Memphis is currently 19-29), the front office is clearly ready to pivot.
Trading Jackson - especially for future assets - sends a loud message: the Grizzlies are looking ahead.
And that puts Ja Morant’s future front and center.
What This Means for Ja Morant
Morant’s name has been swirling in trade rumors all season, and for good reason. He’s had a turbulent year, both on and off the court.
His scoring is down to 19.5 points per game - his lowest since his sophomore season - and chemistry issues have reportedly lingered behind the scenes. With Memphis sliding down the standings and now parting ways with Jackson, it’s fair to wonder if Morant is next.
There are two ways this could go:
- **The Grizzlies are ready to move on.
** With Jackson gone and the team leaning into a rebuild, trading Morant could be the next logical step. He’s under contract through 2028, which gives potential suitors 2.5 seasons of control - a valuable window for any team looking to add a high-ceiling guard.
And thanks to the trade exception created in the Jackson deal, Memphis now has more flexibility to take back salary in a Morant trade, which could help maximize the return.
- **They rebuild around Morant.
** Despite the down year, Morant is still just 26 and a two-time All-Star. If Memphis believes he can be the centerpiece of a retooled roster, they could use their newfound draft capital to build around him - either by developing young talent or swinging another big trade.
With 13 first-round picks over the next seven years (tied with Brooklyn and OKC for the most in the league), the Grizzlies have the ammo to reshape their roster in a hurry.
But make no mistake - the Jackson trade tilts the odds toward a full teardown. According to league insiders, Memphis is "officially turning the page," and teams are already circling, eyeing Morant as the next big name to hit the market. The question now isn’t if the Grizzlies are rebuilding - it’s whether Morant will be part of that process or the next major piece to be moved.
Draft Capital: Memphis Is Loaded
Even before the Jackson trade, the Grizzlies had quietly built one of the league’s deepest draft war chests. Now, they’re sitting on a mountain of picks:
- Control of their own first-round picks through 2033
- Three new first-rounders from the Jazz deal
- Additional picks from the Desmond Bane trade with Orlando, potentially in 2026, 2029, and 2030
That’s 13 first-round selections over the next seven years - a gold mine in today’s NBA. Whether they use those picks to draft and develop or package them in trades, Memphis has positioned itself as a team with options - and leverage.
What’s Next
The Grizzlies just made one of the boldest moves of the trade season, and it’s likely just the beginning. Jaren Jackson Jr. is now a Jazzman, and Memphis has made it clear they’re looking to the future. Whether that future includes Ja Morant remains to be seen.
But one thing’s for sure: the Grizzlies are no longer trying to salvage the past. They’re building something new - and they’ve got the picks, the flexibility, and now the freedom to do it on their terms.