While the Grizzlies have made point guard Ja Morant available, there’s no indication that stance has extended to big man Jaren Jackson Jr. In fact, multiple reports have indicated that Memphis wants to hang onto Jackson and build around him.
Still, that hasn’t stopped a certain agent-turned-podcast-host from speculating about a potential trade involving Jackson, and it hasn’t stopped teams from calling the Grizzlies to register interest in the former Defensive Player of the Year. According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Pistons and Celtics are among the teams to convey their interest.
Detroit has Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart in its frontcourt but has been in the market for a power forward or center who can stretch the floor — Jackson fits that bill, having made 37.3% of 5.0 three-pointers per game since the start of last season. As for Boston, the 2024 champions lost Al Horford and Luke Kornet in 2025 free agency while also trading away Kristaps Porzingis, so it makes sense that the Celtics would be seeking an impact big man.
As Scotto points out, if the Grizzlies traded both Morant and Jackson, it would create a path for the club to rebuild around a younger core led by Cedric Coward, Zach Edey, and Jaylen Wells. While Memphis still views Jackson – who is just 26 years old and is under contract through at least 2029 – as a part of that core, more teams figure to inquire about his availability if Morant is moved ahead of the February 5 deadline, Scotto writes.
Scotto also checks in on Morant’s market, citing league sources who say that the Heat, Bucks, Kings, Raptors, and Pelicans have expressed some interest. However, it sounds like most of those teams would only be interested in the two-time All-Star as a buy-low target.
According to Scotto, there have been whispers for months that Morant and his camp view Miami as a favorable landing spot. But rival executives who spoke to HoopsHype believe the Heat’s “dream scenario” would be landing Giannis Antetokounmpo if he becomes available in the summer, so the club will be reluctant to give up any assets that would compromise that possibility.
An ESPN report from earlier today classified league-wide interest in Morant as “tepid,” and Sam Amick of The Athletic has heard the same. According to Amick, Miami and Milwaukee are considered unlikely landing spots for the Grizzlies guard, while Sacramento doesn’t view him as a great fit for its timeline and would be unwilling to include any draft capital in an offer. Scotto adds that some rival executives wondered whether the Nets or Rockets might have interest in Morant, but neither club seems to.
Morant is currently sidelined with a right calf injury and didn’t play in the NBA’s first ever regular season game in Germany on Thursday. Amid rumors that Morant doesn’t want to play for Memphis at all anymore, commissioner Adam Silver said he’s hopeful the star guard will be able to suit up on Sunday in London.
“I know he has a tremendous following globally,” Silver said ahead of Thursday’s game in Berlin, per Tim Reynolds of The Associated Press. “And I wish he were able to play tonight. I’m still holding out hope he’ll be able to play when we’re in London on Sunday. So, yes, I’m disappointed he’s not on the floor tonight, but I understand he’s injured.”
He’s a good secondary player, but he’s not worth a franchise type changing trade or salary. Looks like Memphis might be content with rebuilding around Edey and Coward.
Soooo…for Kuminga?
Thought Kuminga was going to Bucks for Giannis? Make up your mind lol
Thats the problem raz, he doesnt have one.
There’s plenty of scenarios floating around right now…are you locking me into just one? That’s insane. Cope harder.
This isn’t 2K where you can just come up with a trade offer just because a guy is available or you want him. Cope harder that the fact Kuminga isn’t getting you Giannis, let alone JJJ.
Did you seriously post that after this article just dropped? Oh look, its ANOTHER mainstream media outlet echoing my takes…
link to hoopsrumors.com
Does it get old just being wrong all the time? When you literally only post reactionary “well whatever you say, I will argue the opposite” type crap, this is where you end up.
JJJ is not championship material, look his PO stats, he is more Turner on last year Pacers team, or Hartenstien on Thunder. Good role player, but he is paid like star. So if I’m Grizzlies management I move him for young players and/or picks.
Coward, GG, Edey should be their core for now.
But Turner on that Pacers team WAS en route to a title til Hali got hurt!
JJJ on GSW = title.
See, this is the guy GSW -should- be targeting for their future. Bam or JJJ is a perfect match on GSW. Exactly who they need.
Let’s make it a Warriors thread again, lols.
Every mf day
Then non warriors fans get called names and told to leave the actual warriors thread if dare post anything perceived as negative towards Golden State. Even if it’s true, lols. A special breed indeed. Some, not all of those guys.
Only dubs fans know ball
-Dippy 2.0 (probably) or maybe aristalker
I think the best way to deal with loony’s like 2.0 is to just agree with everything they say, especially the posts that are categorically opposite to his earlier post(s) on the same topic.
Delusional Davey
JJJ is not someone you build around in order to win, offensively he is inconsistent but has the overall skill package. Finishes lobs, can shoot the 3, has a mid range game and isn’t terrible on the ball but not at the level of a prime Blake Griffin, AD, Giannas either.
Defensively he’s great, can basically guard 1-5 although does occasionally get in foul trouble. He’s a great shot blocker but he actually thrives best as a help defender down low that can cover teammates with late blocks and contests.
That said I think he could actually be perfect for the pistons. Offensively he’d be playing off of Cade who is a pass first point guard with a very high basketball IQ and has the size to play over the top of other guards. He can space the floor and he wouldn’t be expected to do too much for them. Defensively you have Duren as your main rim protector so he could play a lot of help defence and together those two could really congest the paint, then with Ausar on the outside with Cade (a big point guard) there isn’t to many weaknesses to attack.
He’d be someone they should really go hard for if he becomes available. I’m not talking giving up 4/5 first round picks for cause I think that is ridiculous for a 2nd/3rd option. The fallback plan should be Kristaps Porzingis. More of a shooter and scorer and less of a defender but similar skill sets and profiles. KP being a FA and having had a largely down year with injuries won’t be expensive either.
JJJr is one of best bigs in the game. He is becoming the best 2Way big in the game. His offense is just starting to blossom. He is only 26 yrs old. Grizz are not giving him away. They could build around him. He is a big 4 to me. Can play on perimeter.
He can bring back good value. Is a solid character guy. I love to have him and Mitch. Move Towns. I doubt they move him. Lakers would go hard for him.
It appears that 2k does not love JJJ. But it’s OK, as I suspect basketball people will make up for it. JJJ is actually a 4 way player, since he can play both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively, inside (where he’s an elite rim protector) or on the perimeter (where he can guard almost anyone). Who else does that? AD certainly did when he used to play basketball. Mobley can at times. Not many others. If they are, I’m guessing they’re DPOY candidates on an annual basis.
JJJ is not a first option offensively. Maybe that means he can’t be a star in 2k, I don’t know. But if a FO can’t build a team around a guy like him, then they need to find new work.
Honestly JJJ is perfect for Boston.
Simons, Hugo González, cash and picks for JJJ
JJJ is a good fit on both teams. The Celtics definitely need him
Memphis should ask for Jenkins
Detroit sends caris revert, bobi klintman, Marcus sasser, 2 1st rd picks, 3 2 rd picks
Sasser has done well this year, caris is a proven veteran klintman is still young
Detroit then could give Jenkins a standard contract they would plug Jackson at the 4 as a starter then there able to bring Stewart off the bench again as part of that 2nd unit.. leaves Detroit with an open spot and a little cap space to give Beasley once he clears nba investigation..
Also $20m short on salary match … all this plus Harris? Also, is Caris Revert autocorrect or trying to start a new unnecessarily harsh nickname because he’s slightly reverted this year to being not-as-good-as-last-year-but-still-pretty-solid?
Pistons because they have Duren and Stewart who are the interior who rebound and protect. JJJ is not a rebounder and should not be expected to play center unless really small ball.