The Memphis Grizzlies shocked the NBA world on Tuesday when they traded two-time All-Star and former NBA Defensive Player of the Year F Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz. The Grizzlies sent Jackson, along with Vince Williams Jr., G John Konchar, and C Jock Landale, to the Jazz in exchange for G Walter Clayton Jr., F Kyle Anderson, F Georges Niang, and three future first-round picks.
The Grizzlies might not be done, either. The team internally views C Zach Edey and G Cedric Coward as key future building blocks. Both players were selected in the late lottery over the last two drafts, and Memphis hit on a pair of 2024 second-round picks as well in Gs Jaylen Wells and Cam Spencer.
That means that PG Ja Morant could also be on the move. The face of the Grizzlies’ franchise since he was draft No. 2 overall in 2019, Morant is one of the most electric players in the league when he’s healthy. Off-court issues and nagging injuries have slowed him down in recent seasons, but he has a market ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline and the Grizzlies are actively shopping him.
The Memphis Grizzlies Created the Largest Trade Exception in NBA History
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 11: Jaren Jackson Jr. #8 of the Memphis Grizzlies heads for the net as Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the New York Knicks defends at Madison Square Garden on November 11, 2025 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 133-120. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
One aspect of this trade that’s gone a bit under the radar is the trade exception Memphis created by trading Jackson. Per ESPN’s Bobby Marks and Shams Charania, that figure comes in at $28.8 million — the largest ever created in NBA history.
One thing the Grizzlies can do with that trade exception is take on large, unwieldy contracts from other teams to acquire more draft assets. Teams that need to offload a bad contract or are trying to match salary to bring in a new player could pay the Grizzlies in draft picks to take on those contracts. It’s the method the Thunder used to amass incredible numbers of draft picks and, eventually, led to Oklahoma City winning a title.
Of course, the biggest name in the NBA that could be on the move is Bucks F Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Grizzlies could be best-positioned to assist in that potential deal…
The Memphis Grizzlies Could Use the Jaren Jackson Jr. Deal to Facilitate Another Trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo
The NBA is currently buzzing with a potential Giannis trade. While he hasn’t formally asked out of Milwaukee, the feeling is that he’ll be on the move this summer if he isn’t traded by the deadline. Multiple teams are making pushes for Giannis, including the Timberwolves and the Knicks.
The Grizzlies are unlikely to go after Giannis directly, but the trade exception they created through the Jackson trade could factor in. By taking on salary dumps and excess money in exchange for draft picks, Memphis could allow another team to acquire Giannis by including the Grizzlies in the deal.
Grizzlies Could Use Jaren Jackson Jr. Trade to Facilitate Giannis Deal