Okay, so today I’m gonna walk you through my deep dive into a possible Jaren Jackson Jr. trade. Yeah, I know, it sounds kinda crazy, but hear me out. I was just messing around on the trade machine, trying to find ways to improve my fantasy team, and it just popped into my head. “What if the Grizzlies moved JJJ?”
First things first, I started by looking at JJJ’s stats. Dude’s a beast on defense, no question. Blocks for days! But offensively, he’s streaky. Like, really streaky. And he fouls a lot. Like, a lot a lot. So, I had to weigh the pros and cons. Was he truly untouchable, or could the Grizzlies get a package that would make them even better?
Then, I began thinking about potential trade partners. Who needs a rim-protecting big man who can also stretch the floor (sometimes)? I jotted down a few teams: the Raptors, the Trail Blazers, even the Hornets. Teams with good young cores that maybe just need that extra boost of defensive presence.
After brainstorming teams, the fun began. The trade machine! I started throwing around different players. For the Raptors, maybe a package centered around OG Anunoby and draft picks? For the Blazers, maybe something with Anfernee Simons and some future considerations? It was all about trying to balance value and fit.
Of course, I had to factor in JJJ’s contract. He’s locked up for a few more years, which is good for a team that wants a long-term piece. But it also means his salary needs to be matched, which can make trades more complicated. I spent a good hour just trying to find salary combinations that worked under the cap.
Here’s where I hit a roadblock. The more I looked at it, the harder it was to find a trade that made sense for both the Grizzlies and the other team. Memphis values JJJ’s potential, and they’re building around him and Ja Morant. It would take a massive overpay to pry him away.
- The Raptors option: OG Anunoby is a great player, but is he enough to replace JJJ’s unique skillset? Probably not.
- The Blazers option: Simons is a promising scorer, but the Grizzlies already have plenty of offensive firepower.
Ultimately, I came to the conclusion that trading Jaren Jackson Jr. is probably not the right move for the Grizzlies right now. The risk outweighs the reward. He’s still young, he’s improving, and he’s a key part of their identity.
So, what did I learn?
Well, for one, I learned that being an NBA GM is a lot harder than it looks! But seriously, I learned a lot about team building, salary cap management, and the importance of evaluating player value. It was a fun exercise, even if it didn’t lead to a blockbuster trade.
Plus, it reinforced my appreciation for what Jaren Jackson Jr. brings to the Grizzlies. He’s not perfect, but he’s a special player with a ton of potential. And sometimes, the best move is to just stay put and let your guys develop. Just my two cents!
