Jaren Jackson Jr. underwent successful surgery on Tuesday morning to remove a localized pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) growth in his left knee, the Jazz confirmed today in a press release.
According to the team, which first announced last week that Jackson would be undergoing the procedure, the surgery was performed in Salt Lake City by Dr. Travis Maak, the Jazz’s head orthopedic team physician. The former Defensive Player of the Year will begin the rehabilitation process and will be reevaluated in four weeks, per the club.
Despite the fact that Jackson will be examined in four weeks, Utah previously indicated that he’ll be out for the rest of the season. The expectation is that the big man will be fully healthy for training camp in the fall.
Jackson, 26, was traded from Memphis to Utah at this month’s deadline and appeared in three games for his new team before being shut down, averaging 22.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.0 steals in 24.0 minutes per contest.
The Jazz stated last week that they identified the PVNS growth in Jackson’s knee via MRI during a post-trade physical and determined along with Jackson and his representatives – after consulting multiple medical experts – that surgery was necessary to address the issue.
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, a PVNS growth isn’t cancerous and doesn’t spread to other areas of the body, but PVNS is a progressive disease that can lead to bone damage and arthritis. In most cases, surgery is necessary to remove the damaged joint lining and the growth.
Second-year Jazz forward Cody Williams, who started each of his past 15 games prior to Jackson’s debut, came off the bench while JJJ was active, then returned to the starting five last Thursday in Utah’s final contest before the All-Star break. He’ll likely remain in that starting role with Jackson sidelined.
Perfect. Now go ahead and tank the rest of the season away and get Dybansta or Boozer.
That is what the org would like to do. Lauri will probably get a surgery in mid March.
Everyone should be rooting for Utah to lose
OKC certainty doesn’t need (deserve) another log on the fire
Maybe but Utah shouldn’t be let off free from a trade that made. They were already going to plan on sucking. Utah keeping the pick just promotes tanking.
The Thunder agreed to the protections on the pick.
Yes, I suppose the win for them was making sure a team would suck for the 5 plus years the pick was impacted.
This is the 4th season since they traded Mitchell and Gobert. The Thunder did there share of tanking after trading Westbrook.
If a team threw games for gambling purposes players and execs would be suspended and/or banned.
Why is it ok to throw games to retain a lottery pick. A lottery is by definition gambling.
Peterson would be best, he’d slot in nicely between George and Markkanen.
Fine Utah $10M for starting Cody Williams
Cody Williams right now is nowhere as bad in his 2nd year compared to his rookie season
The Utah Jazz may be one of the most fascinating franchises heading into the 2026 offseason. Quietly, they’ve assembled one of the most enviable arsenals in the league — and this summer could define the next decade.
Start with the roster. Lauri Markkanen gives them a bonafide star. The guard room features Collier and George, with Sensabaugh, Bailey, and Mykhailiuk providing wing depth. Walker Kessler is one of the best young rim protectors in basketball and is a restricted free agent at just $5 million. Signing him is a no-brainer — unless the Jazz use him as the centerpiece of a sign-and-trade to land something transformational.
Then there’s the draft capital. A top-5 pick and the 36th overall selection in a loaded 2026 class — one that includes generational talents like Darryn Peterson, AJ Dybantsa, and Cameron Boozer — gives Utah enormous leverage. Do they keep the pick? Trade down for a haul? A desperate contender like the Lakers or Golden State would pay handsomely to move up. Utah could take back their pick, future firsts, and still grab a high-upside big like **Flory Bidunga (Kansas)** or the Swiss-army-knife defender **JoJo Tugler (Houston)** to develop slowly behind a restructured frontcourt.
Speaking of the frontcourt — what do they do with Filipowski? He’s a starter-caliber player buried behind Jackson Jr. and not quite a true center. His value may never be higher. Flip him for an impact vet or future assets while the market is right.
Nurkic is a $18M UFA. If he’s willing to take a discount on a team-friendly deal, he remains a serviceable bridge big while younger pieces develop. If not, Utah moves on and drafts their future at the position.
With an $18M trade exception, multiple firsts over the next three drafts, and a core of ascending young talent, the Jazz don’t need to rush. They can be the summer’s biggest rainmaker — collecting assets, reshaping their roster, and setting themselves up to contend on their own timeline.
Utah has all the leverage. Now it’s about using it wisely.
Nice write up, the future does look bright for the Jazz, as long as they play their cards right.
I think the improvement in George has been the key for them. Laura was already good and Kessler’s abilities were known to those who watched the Jazz. Now they have a genuine point guard who reminds me of where Cade was when Cade took his first big jump forward. Throw in JJJ and a top draft pick … baby you’ve got a stew going!
So what do you think they’re going to do with Kessler and their pick?
JJJ is a great pickup. I am a big fan of his game. I hope they get it right. There is some great guard talent in the draft. Time to step up Utah.
Fland has cooled off
Jackson, such a necessary surgery. Can’t take any chances with that top 8 protection.