Shams: MEM Trading JJJ to UT

[Roy H.]

The Utah Jazz are trading their most favorable 2027 first-round pick (Cleveland/Minnesota/Utah), the Lakers' 2027 first-round pick, and Phoenix's 2031 first-round pick to Memphis, source says, to pry Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Grizzlies.

One premium pick and two lottery tickets.

[Donoghus]

The Utah Jazz are trading their most favorable 2027 first-round pick (Cleveland/Minnesota/Utah), the Lakers' 2027 first-round pick, and Phoenix's 2031 first-round pick to Memphis, source says, to pry Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Grizzlies.

One premium pick and two lottery tickets.

So the question now is whether or not UT can suck enough post trade to keep their '26 first rounder which is top 8 protected.

[Birdman]

WOW surprise Utah are doing this, also means Morant will be traded

[Donoghus]

Bobby Marks
@BobbyMarks42
Draft picks in Memphis

- Own first in the next seven years (2026 to 2032)
- 2026 more favorable first of Orlando or Phoenix
- 2027 top-4 protected first from LA Lakers
- 2027 most favorable first of Cleveland, Minnesota or Utah
- 2029 top-two protected swap with Orlando
- 2030 unprotected first from Orlando
- 2031 unprotected first from Phoenix
- Six seconds

[Celtics4ever]

Do they expect to play all three of Kessler, JJJ, and Lauri in a giant frontcourt?

Kessler was hurt, got surgery and  is recovering.  He is out for the year.

https://www.nba.com/news/utah-jazz-walker-kessler-season-ending-shoulder-surgery

[Celtics2021]

Hat tip to Danny on that one.  He got a star player without surrendering any real talent off of the roster.

That said, that's a very expensive front court.  I wonder if they trade Kessler, now or in the summer in a sign-and-trade.

Probably as a sign-and-trade, since he is hurt now.  He has been one of my targets for the KP TPE this summer, and remains so.

[jpotter33]

Do they expect to play all three of Kessler, JJJ, and Lauri in a giant frontcourt?

Kessler was hurt, got surgery and  is recovering.  He is out for the year.

https://www.nba.com/news/utah-jazz-walker-kessler-season-ending-shoulder-surgery

TP. Obviously don?t follow Utah closely haha

I do wonder what their plan is for this year?s pick. They must think they won?t sufficiently improve to jump their place in the tankathon.

[Who]

It will be nice to see Aldama start.

Aldama should be able to replace most of what JJJ brings to the table on the offensive side of the floor. Maybe 17-18ppg. Wow, JJJ was down to 19ppg this season. I expected him to be up around 23ppg. JJJ is a better scorer than 19ppg. Aldama already averages more assists with 3.0apg to 1.9apg for JJJ. I don't think the Grizzlies will miss much offensively. Or rebounding wise. Aldama 6.7rpg to JJJ's 5.8rpg. Aldama was getting 28mpg to JJJ's 31mpg.

The defense will obviously see a hit. JJJ while talented defensively is not a leader back there. He is a defensive playmaker more than a guy who can organize and inspire your defense.

You can see why Memphis were reluctant to give JJJ $50+mil per year when you have a ready made replacement in Aldama waiting in the wings.

[Who]

Big trade. 8 player deal. I am trying to make sense of their rosters with all these players moving teams.

Utah

G: Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier
G: Svi Mykhailuik, Ace Bailey
F: Lauri Markkanen, Brice Sensabough
F: Jaren Jackson Jr, Kyle Filipowski
C: Josuf Nurkic, Kevin Love

Others: Jon Konchar, Vince Williams, Cody Williams, Jock Londale, Walker Kessler (injured)

That two guard slot is weak for Utah. Svi shouldn't be a starter. Ace Bailey is a SF. Their new SG additions (Konchar, Vince Williams) are low level backup SGs to 3rd stringers.

Their PGs (Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier) are the only ball-handlers in the team. Their wings don't pass the ball. Their star forwards (JJJ, Lauri) don't pass the ball. Kessler, when healthy, doesn't pass the ball. Their journeyman bigs (Nurkic, Love) and young big without a clear role in Filipowski are the only ones who pass the ball and those vet bigs will leave at the end of year. Very little ball-handling or passing on this team.

JJJ is the only plus defender in the starting lineup. Collier, Sensabough, Filipwoski are all poor defenders off the bench. Very little defensive talent on this team.

They look like a 28-32 win team to me.

Memphis

G: Ja Morant, Scottie Pippen Jr
G: Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome
F: Jaylen Wells, KCP
F: Santi Aldama, "Slow Mo" Kyle Anderson
C: Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke

Others: Walter Clayton Jr, Cam Spencer, GG Jackson, Talor Hendricks, Georges Niang

I like the pickups of W Clayton Jr and T Hendricks but Memphis already have good guard depth and with Slow Mo being in the deal as well that gives them a guy to play ahead of Taylor Hendricks as well.

It is not that bad of a team. A 35-40 win squad. They could play .500 if they stick together. If Morant implodes (or gets hurt again), they would drop into the 20s (win wise) quickly.

If Zach Edey continues to have injury issues, they lack big man depth. Could go into a tailspin. Brandon Clarke is their only interior player on the team without Z Edey.

[keevsnick]

Big trade. 8 player deal. I am trying to make sense of their rosters with all these players moving teams.

Utah

G: Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier
G: Svi Mykhailuik, Ace Bailey
F: Lauri Markkanen, Brice Sensabough
F: Jaren Jackson Jr, Kyle Filipowski
C: Josuf Nurkic, Kevin Love

Others: Jon Konchar, Vince Williams, Cody Williams, Jock Londale, Walker Kessler (injured)

That two guard slot is weak for Utah. Svi shouldn't be a starter. Ace Bailey is a SF. Their new SG additions (Konchar, Vince Williams) are low level backup SGs to 3rd stringers.

Their PGs (Keyonte George, Isaiah Collier) are the only ball-handlers in the team. Their wings don't pass the ball. Their star forwards (JJJ, Lauri) don't pass the ball. Kessler, when healthy, doesn't pass the ball. Their journeyman bigs (Nurkic, Love) and young big without a clear role in Filipowski are the only ones who pass the ball and those vet bigs will leave at the end of year. Very little ball-handling or passing on this team.

JJJ is the only plus defender in the starting lineup. Collier, Sensabough, Filipwoski are all poor defenders off the bench. Very little defensive talent on this team.

They look like a 28-32 win team to me.

Memphis

G: Ja Morant, Scottie Pippen Jr
G: Cedric Coward, Ty Jerome
F: Jaylen Wells, KCP
F: Santi Aldama, "Slow Mo" Kyle Anderson
C: Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke

Others: Walter Clayton Jr, Cam Spencer, GG Jackson, Talor Hendricks, Georges Niang

I like the pickups of W Clayton Jr and T Hendricks but Memphis already have good guard depth and with Slow Mo being in the deal as well that gives them a guy to play ahead of Taylor Hendricks as well.

It is not that bad of a team. A 35-40 win squad. They could play .500 if they stick together. If Morant implodes (or gets hurt again), they would drop into the 20s (win wise) quickly.

If Zach Edey continues to have injury issues, they lack big man depth. Could go into a tailspin. Brandon Clarke is their only interior player on the team without Z Edey.

I don't think UTAH is going to be nay good the rest of this year, mostly because they will aggressively tank to keep that top 8 protected pick.

But NEXT year? If Kessler is re-signed and they add another elite prospect on top of that suddenly you have a Keyonte, Ace, Markkanen, Kessler, Jackson + elite prospect core that's pretty promising.

Seems to me this is the trade of a team that is tired of losing. They are willing to put up with another 30 games of it this year but NEXT seaosn they are going to try and be good.