NBA Trade Grades: Did The Jazz Get Revenge On Grizzlies With Triple J Trade, & What The Trade Means For Utah Going Forward

The Utah Jazz rebuild may finally be coming to an end.

NBA Trade Grades: Did The Jazz Get Revenge On Grizzlies With Triple J Trade, & What The Trade Means For Utah Going Forward

In a surprising move, Utah acquired Jaren Jackson Jr. from the Memphis Grizzlies as part of an eight-player transaction. The Jazz also received Jock Landale, John Konchar, and Vince Williams Jr.  Meanwhile, the Jazz sent the Grizzlies Walter Clayton Jr., Kyle Anderson, Taylor Hendricks, and Georges Niang. The trade also cost the Jazz three first-round picks.

The first-round picks headed to Memphis include two 2027 picks and Phoenix’s 2031 selection. According to Tim McMahon of ESPN, the 2027 picks will be the Los Angeles Lakers and the more favorable of Utah, Cleveland, and Minnesota.  The Lakers pick is top-4 protected, while the Suns selection is unprotected. After the trade, the Jazz project to have seven future first-round picks, possibly eight if they can keep their top-8-protected pick, and at least eight second-round selections.

The trade left Utah, owning the sixth-worst record in the league at 15-35, extremely shorthanded as the Jazz head to Indiana tonight with just nine healthy players.  But the Jazz made the move as an indication they are finally looking to take the next step. The Jazz, who have just two fewer wins than all of last season, have not made the playoffs since 2021-22.

This trade is the sixth trade between the Jazz and Grizzlies. The last deal between the franchises was in August 2021, where the Grizzlies fleeced the Jazz. In that deal, the Jazz sent Santi Aldama to Memphis for Jared Butler, a 2022 2nd-round draft pick (Jabari Walker), and a 2026 second-round selection. 

The JJJ deal is also the second biggest trade between the teams. In 2005, the Jazz and Grizzlies were part of a five-team deal that eninvolved5 players, feincludingddie Jones, Antoine Walker, and Jason Williams.

What The Jazz Are Getting

Jackson Jr. is an elite defender who instantly becomes the Jazz’s best rim protector and switch defender. Despite struggling a little bit offensively this year, Jackson is a solid low-post scorer who can stretch the floor. The 26-year-old, along with Lauri Markkanen, Keyonte George, Ace Bailey, and perhaps Walker Kessler, becomes the face of the franchise in the future.

Kessler is a restricted free agent this summer. However, the Jazz are expected to do everything in their power to keep the 7-2 center, per Tony Jones of The Athletic.

“League Sources: Utah’s move for JJJ will not affect the Jazz’s interest in keeping Walker Kessler long term,” Jones tweeted. “The Jazz are doing this envisioning JJJ/Lauri/Kessler frontcourt.”

Speaking of Markkanen, who has been the subject of numerous trade rumors over the last few years, Jones reported that the 28-year-old is very happy with the trade.

“Have heard from multiple sources that Jazz star Lauri Markkanen is very happy with the Jackson deal,” Jones tweeted.

Jock Landale, John Konchar, and Vince Williams Jr.

While Landale, Konchar, and Williams Jr. don’t stand out as major players in the trade, all three are valuable role players. Landale is the only member of the trio on an expiring contract.

Landale joins a crowded frontcourt. But, Landale figures to get some minutes with the Jazz the remainder of the year. The 30-year-old is having a career season with 11.3 points and 6.5 rebounds in 45 minutes, including 23 starts. He is making 1.1 threes a contest with shooting splits of 51.4/38/67.4.  Additionally, he has registered a career-high seven double-doubles.

Landale is a legitimate floor spacer who thrives in pick-and-pop situations. He is a strong screener and solid finisher due to his soft touch. While his lack of elite athleticism hurts him on defense, he is a smart defender and a capable rebounder. 

Konchar is a gritty veteran who is versatile and willing to do the little things. Konchar is also a high motor, a good rebounder, and a smart defender. The 29-year-old, who is currently dealing with a neck injury, will have a tough time carving out a niche with the Jazz, at least for the time being. He takes good shots and is an average 3-point shooter. 

Williams Jr. had taken advantage of the second most action and put up solid counterable stats with the Grizzlies. But the 6-4 combo guard has struggled to shoot this year, connecting on just 35.2% of his field goal attempts, including 30.8% of his 3-pointers.

Williams figures to take Clayton’s spot as the Jazz’s third guard. Williams immediately becomes one of Utah’s best point-of-attack defenders. Offensively, he thrives as a connector who moves well without the ball. In addition, he is a good rebounder.

Utah Trade Grade: A

Utah took a big swing. The Jazz acquired someone considered off-limits while also adding solid veterans who could be part of their bench mob next season.  In addition, the Jazz didn’t give up much because of the draft capital they had built up.

Utah did add $18 milion to its 2025-26 payroll. Still, the Jazz are $25.5 million below the luxury tax. And the Jazz may not be done making moves. They have every intention of keeping their 2026 first-round pick, so they can’t win too many games. The Jazz will send their selection in June’s draft to Oklahoma City if they fall outside the top-8 in the lottery.

“In the immediate aftermath of their acquisition of Jackson, the Jazz remain very active on the trade market and are exploring options to add on to this deal potentially, league sources told Clutchpoints,” tweeted NBA Insider Brett Siegel. “Jusuf Nurkic’s expiring $19.3M contract is also being shopped.”

Besides Nurkic, Kevin Love and Svi Mykhailiuk appear to be the Jazz’s other remaining trade candidates.

Utah no longer projects to have any cap space this summer, assuming they re-sign Kessler. However, they project to be well below the tax line even with Kessler, and would only have three spots to fill if they can keep their first-round selection.